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School- 


SCHOOL  PAPER 


HINDS,  NOBLE  &  ELDREDGE,  Publisher*,  NEW  YORK.  PHILADELPHIA. 


THE   SCHOOL   PAPER 

BY 
CHARLES  B.  GLEASON 

Vice   Principal  San  Jose  High  School 
AND 

GEORGE  I.  LYNN 

Santa  Clara  University 


San  Jose,  California 

Press  of  Eaton  &  Company 

1912 


• 


(Copyright,  1912,  by  Charles  B.  Gleason. 


PREFACE 


Like  most  teachers  who  are  concerned  with  the  School  Paper,  the 
writer  did  not  take  up  the  work  because  of  his  interest  in  it — that  came 
later, — but  partly  because  students  came  to  him  for  help  of  one  sort  or 
.•mother,  partly  because  he  was  one  of  those  to  whom  happened  to  be  as- 
signed a  task  somebody  had  to  do,  and  nobody  wanted.  The  pages  that 
follow  are  the  result  of  a  dozen  years'  observation  of  the  workings  of  the 
writer's  own  school,  and  of  other  as  he  has  become  acquainted  with  them 
through  professional  literature,  discussions  at  educational  gatherings, 
and  private  inquiry.  Perhaps  what  more  than  anything  else  led  him  to 
write  it  out  was  the  inquiry  of  the  editor  .of  an  Ohio  school  paper,  whose 
letter  ended,  in  capitals,  HOW  DO  YOU  DO  IT? 

No  attempt  is  made  at  academic  discussion.  The  Educator  will  look 
in  vain  for  profundity  of  thought  or  brilliancy  of  expression.  The  prac- 
tical teacher  may  say  in  criticism  that  he  knew  it  all  before.  Very  likely 
he  did.  The  title  might  have  been  "What  a  Young  Editor  Ought  to 
Know;"  and  if  he  finds  here  indeed  what  he  needs  to  know  and  no  one 
has  told  him  ;  if  he  finds  anything  to  help  him  in  his  difficult  and  per- 
plexing endeavors;  the  purpose  of  the  writer  will  be  fulfilled. 

The  senior  author  is  solely  responsible  for  Part  I.  To  Part  II  he 
has  contributed  only  editorially,  this  portion  being  the  work  of  Mr. 
Lynn,  whose  experience  as  editor  of  student  publications  of  various 
types  enables  him  to  speak  of  the  matters  under  discussion  from  the  point 
of  view  of  the  student. 

CHARLES  B.  GLEASON. 
San  Jose,  Cal.,  September  1,  1912. 


PART  I— ORGANIZATION  AND  ADMINISTRATION. 

I. 

TO  BE  OR  NOT  TO  BE. 

To  many  Principals  the  school  paper  stands  as  one  of  the  vex- 
ations of  his  position — a  "problem"  along  with  fraternities,  the 
cigarette  habit,  social  excesses,  and  social  vices,  to  be  wrestled 
with,  to  be  tolerated  under  protest,  but  as  hopeless  and  as  inevi- 
table as  poverty  and  sin.  I  recall  the  triumphant  satisfaction  with 
which  one  prominent  Principal  announced  that  he  had  eliminated 
the  paper  from  his  school,  and  substituted  an  arrangement  for 
space  in  a  local  weekly ;  and  more  than  one  other  who,  while  not 
openly  opposing,  saw  to  it  that  no  possible  obstacle  failed  to  be 
placed  in  the  paper's  path.  One  must  freely  admit  that  the  his- 
tory of  school  journalism  is  not  pleasant  reading;  that  the  course 
is  Strewn  with  unsightly  wrecks;  that  too  often  the  school  paper 
has  added  nothing  to  the  reputation  of  the  school,  its  manage- 
ment, or  the  cause  of  public  education.  Owing  its  inception 
tc  its  claims  to  recognition  as  a  stimulus  to  literary  interest,  it 
has  fallen  far  short  of  these  high  endeavors: — utterly  failed  as 
a  literary  essay,  fostered  the  frivolous  and  vulgar,  and  not  the 
serious  and  elevated  things  of  school  life,  weakened  rather  than 
strengthened  true  school  spirit,  and,  especially  in  its  financial 
management,  been  a  scandal  and  a  disgrace  in  the  community. 
Too  often  dragging  out  a  miserable  existence,  fitful  spurts  of 
energy  followed  by  heart-failure,  it  has  caused  the  long-suffering 
teacher  to  echo  the  Autocrat,  "I  wish  it  would  get  well,  or  some- 
thing!" 

Yet  all  this  is  not  really  an  indictment  of  the  school  paper  in 
itself,  but  of  the  paper  as  often  conducted.  The  school  that  has 
nn  >chool  journal  may,  like  the  country  that  has  no  history,  be 
a  happy  one,  but  it  is  with  the  happiness  of  stagnation.  Journal- 
ism seems  as  natural  expression  of  intellectual  vigor  in  young 
people  as  athletics  of  physical  vigor;  and  the  one  and  the  other 
are  almost  essential  to  healthful  development,  and  deserve  en- 
couragement as  much  as  do  activities  distinctively  scholastic.  The 
school  paper  has  become  a  necessary  part  of  every  progressive 
school,  and  the  interest  of  the  school  journalist  and  of  the  school 
alike  demand  that  it  be  the  best  possible,  and  conducted  in  the 
best  manner. 

II. 
STARTING    OF   THE    PAPER. 

Possibly  many  of  the  failures  and  weaknesses  of  school  papers 
are  due  to  the  fact  that  these  have  "done  growed,"  and  not  been 
ushered  into  existence  by  any  wise  direction,  or  as  the  result  of 
any  forethought  or  careful  design. 


PART  I— ORGANIZATION  AND  ADMINISTRATION. 

I. 
TO  BE  OR   NOT  TO  BE. 

To  many  Principals  the  school  paper  stands  as  one  of  the  vex- 
ations of  his  position — a  "problem"  along  with  fraternities,  the 
cigarette  habit,  social  excesses,  and  social  vices,  to  be  wrestled 
with,  to  be  tolerated  under  protest,  but  as  hopeless  and  as  inevi- 
table as  poverty  and  sin.  I  recall  the  triumphant  satisfaction  with 
which  one  prominent  Principal  announced  that  he  had  eliminated 
the  paper  from  his  school,  and  substituted  an  arrangement  for 
space  in  a  local  weekly ;  and  more  than  one  other  who,  while  not 
openly  opposing,  saw  to  it  that  no  possible  obstacle  failed  to  be 
placed  in  the  paper's  path.  One  must  freely  admit  that  the  his- 
tory of  school  journalism  is  not  pleasant  reading;  that  the  course 
iv  Strewn  with  unsightly  wrecks;  that  too  often  the  school  paper 
ha-;  added  nothing  to  the  reputation  of  the  school,  its  manage- 
ment, or  the  cause  of  public  education.  Owing  its  inception 
to  its  claims  to  recognition  as  a  stimulus  to  literary  interest,  it 
h;i>  fallen  far  short  of  these  high  endeavors: — utterly  failed  as 
a  literary  essay,  fostered  the  frivolous  and  vulgar,  and  not  the 
serious  and  elevated  things  of  school  life,  weakened  rather  than 
strengthened  true  school  spirit,  and,  especially  in  its  financial 
management,  been  a  scandal  and  a  disgrace  in  the  community. 
Too  often  dragging  out  a  miserable  existence,  fitful  spurts  of 
energy  followed  by  heart-failure,  it  has  caused  the  long-suffering 
teacher  to  echo  the  Autocrat,  "I  wish  it  would  get  well,  or  some- 
thing!" 

Yet  all  this  is  not  really  an  indictment  of  the  school  paper  in 
ii'-vlf.  but  of  the  paper  as  often  conducted.  The  school  that  has 
no  school  journal  may,  like  the  country  that  has  no  history,  be 
a  happy  one,  but  it  is  with  the  happiness  of  stagnation.  Journal- 
ism seems  as  natural  expression  of  intellectual  vigor  in  young 
people  as  athletics  of  physical  vigor ;  and  the  one  and  the  other 
are  almost  essential  to  healthful  development,  and  deserve  en- 
couragement as  much  as  do  activities  distinctively  scholastic.  The 
school  paper  has  become  a  necessary  part  of  every  progressive 
school,  and  the  interest  of  the  school  journalist  and  of  the  school 
alike  demand  that  it  be  the  best  possible,  and  conducted  in  the 
!»'  -t  manner. 

II. 
STARTING    OF    THE    PAPER. 

Possibly  many  of  the  failures  and  weaknesses  of  school  papers 
are  due  to  the  fact  that  these  have  "done  growed,"  and  not  been 
ushered  into  existence  by  any  wise  direction,  or  as  the  result  of 
any  forethought  or  careful  design. 


6  THE  SCHOOL  PAPER 

There  are  several  questions  to  be  carefully  considered  and 
definitely  answered  before  the  paper  should  be  launched.  First 
of  all  the  kind  or  character. 

In  the  small  school,  the  sole  publication  will  very  likely  be  the 
annual.  This  is,  I  suppose,  something  handed  down  from  the 
college;  at  any  rate  is  is  closely  modeled  after  the  maturer  pro- 
duction, and  offers  the  same  temptation  to  extravagance  of  outlay 
and  of  expression.  It  is  of  a  form  and  content  almost  stereo'- 
typed,  and  needs  little  description  here. 

Most  schools  of  any  size  support  a  monthly,  as  a  rule  a  maga- 
zine, in  which  literary  matter — fiction,  sketch,  or  essay — predom- 
inates. The  final  issue  of  the  year,  perhaps  the  midyear  or  holi- 
day number,  is  a  " Souvenir"  number,  hardly  differing  at  all  from 
the  annual  in  a  majority  of  cases.  Humorous  or  artistic  period- 
icals are  not  unknown,  but  so  exceptional  are  they  in  the  school 
that  for  practical  purposes  they  may  be  disregarded. 

In  a  few  schools  the  magazine  is  a  weekly,  apt  to  be  a  feeble 
imitation  of  the  monthly,  and  differing  chiefly  in  its  cheaper  and 
less  attractive  get-up.  Of  late  a  new  type  has  appeared,  in  my 
opinion  destined  to  prove  a  popular  and  valuable  addition  to 
school  journalism.  This  has  the  form  and  general  character  of 
a  newspaper,  similar  to  the  best  type  of  college  daily. 

III. 
THE  ORGANIZATION. 

The  kind  of  the  paper  settled,  the  next  question  is  naturally 
the  organization — a  matter  of  prime  importance.  We  shall_find 
papers  handled  by  a  class,  by  the  school  as  a  whole,  with  editors 
chosen  in  various  ways  by  the  students  alone,  by  the  teachers,  or 
by  the  students  subject  to  faculty  confirmation — by  a  club  or 
society  in  the  school,  or  by  one  or  more  students  or  outsiders,  as 
a  private  enterprise. 

All  these  plans  have  good  and  bad  features.  Students  tend  to 
support  most  loyally  the  paper  that  they  think  represents  them 
best;  and  are  lukewarm  in  their  support  of  an  enterprise  that 
will  profit  only  some  individual :  and  a  paper  run  as  a  school  paper 
in  the  fullest  sense  is  likely  to  be  the  best  in  quality,  as  well  as 
in  its  reflection  of  the  interests  of  the  school.  Again  and  again 
the  editors  must  choose  between  a  surplus  in  the  treasury  (with  a 
possible  deficit  to  face  later  on)  and  some  special  feature  in  the 
issue ;  and  it  is  hard  for  a  manager  to  decide  against  his  own 
pocket-book.  I  remember  a  manager  who  found  that  it  was  for 
his  financial  advantage  to  restrict  the  amount  of  typographical 
composition  in  his  magazine;  so  that  his  issues  abounded  in  half- 
pages  of  blank  paper,  while  the  articles  and  stories  carefully 
arranged  by  his  indignant  and  helpless  editor  found  their  way  to 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  7 

the  waste-basket.  Then,  too,  there  is  a  pretty  general  agreement 
among  thinking  students  that  service  on  the  school  paper,  like 
work  on  an  athletic  team,  should  have  loyalty  for  its  motive, 
not  personal  profit.  On  the  other  hand,  it  is  quite  true  that  a  boy 
who  is  working  for  himself  can  afford  to  devote  time  and  effort  to 
the  work  that  one  who  has  only  honor  to  gain  cannot;  and  true, 
too,  that  the  business  end  of  the  paper  abounds  in  hard,  time- 
consuming,  and  often  disagreeable  work,  of  undoubted  commer- 
cial value,  which  receives  from  the  school  very  little  in  the  way 
of  sympathy  or  glory. 

There  is  no  question  that  the  ultimate  success  of  any  periodical 
will  depend  upon  the  general  support  it  receives  from  the  school. 
And  in  deciding  upon  the  organization,  local  conditions  and  to 
some  extent  traditions  must  be  reckoned  with.  In  the  smaller 
school,  with  the  closer  acquaintanceship  and  relationship  that 
generally  characterize  it,  the  school  as  a  whole  may  be  depended 
on  to  conduct  its  paper ;  the  writer's  experience  is,  that  when  the 
number  of  students  gets  much  above  a  hundred,  pure  democracy 
begins  to  fail  of  effectiveness,  and  any  management  nominally 
of  the  whole  school  tends  to  become  the  management  of  a  clique, 
a  faction,  or  at  least  of  a  few  aggressive  spirits.  It  is  not  so 
much  that  so  large  number  is  unwieldy,  as  the  necessary  condition 
that  the  members  of  the  lower  classes,  though  numerically  strong, 
are  at  a  great  disadvantage  because  of  their  lesser  maturity. 
Nowhere  in  the  whole  school  period  does  a  seniority  of  two  or 
three  years  mean  so  great  a  disparity  in  this  respect.  The  case 
is  the  same,  of  course,  with  all  student  activities,  but  in  none, 
I  believe,  does  this  produce  such  disastrous  results  as  in  connec- 
tion with  the  student  publications*  For  this  works  lack  of  interest, 
and  lack  of  interest  which  may  be  counteracted  by  extrane- 
ous aids  in  case  of  athletics  or  debating,  is  fatal  to  the  publication. 

Much  better  is  management  by  a  class,  as  this  class  is  apt  to 
be  the  Senior  class,  older  and  maturer  students,  who  will  as  a 
matter  of  class  pride  and  spirit  use  every  effort  to  make  the 
publication  a  success,  by  their  influence  and  backing  make  it 
stand  for  the  school,  and  actually  or  virtually  assuming  the 
financial  responsibility,  ensure  a  sound  management,  or  at  least 
relieve  school  and  teachers  of  any  burden  of  unpaid  bills. 

Club  management  is  open  to  the  objections  of  private  manage- 
ment, and  has  others  of  its  own.  It  is  less  amenable  to  control, 
its  membership  is  apt  to  consist  of  students  who  will  be  prom- 
inent in  other  activities;  and  in  the  legitimate  rivalries  and  con- 
tests of  school  politics,  these  tend  to  consolidate  into  a  clique, 
with  unhappy  results  for  the  enterprise  for  which  they  were 
originally  organized.  The  best  results  require  some  sort  of 
co-operation  between  students  and  teachers,  and  I  believe  the 
best  results  will  be  had  when  the  control  of  student  publications 
is  vested  jointly  in  teachers  and  students. 


8  THE  SCHOOL  PAPER 

In  the  San  Jose  High  School  the  student  publication  was  for 
years  a  monthly  magazine  which  issued  at  first  an  annual,  after- 
ward, a  semi-annual  Souvenir  number.  Almost  every  variety 
of  management  and  organization  was  tried,  and  the  paper  passed 
through  all  sorts  of  vicissitudes.  Later  a  number  of  students  - 
interested  in  newspaper  work  organized,  under  the  direction 
of  an  experienced  newspaper  man  on  the  faculty,  a  club  for  the 
issuing  of  a  weekly  sheet.  They  found  their  task  at  first  an  easy 
one.  Advertisements  came  in,  more  than  they  had  space  for. 
They  were  able  to  distribute  the  paper  gratis  to  900  students, 
and  then  have  a  comfortable  surplus.  Finding  that  the  manage- 
ment of  the  monthly  assumed  a  decidedly  hostile  attitude — 
which,  by  the  way,  was  accentuated  by  the  candidacy  of  the 
editor  of  the  new  paper  for  student  President — and  that  they 
had  indeed  practically  drawn  away  from  the  monthly  all  its 
advertisers  except  those  who  considered  their  advertisements 
a  donation,  the  club  brought  forward,  at  the  opening  of  the 
school  year,  a  plan  by  which  the  monthly  became  a  purely  liter- 
ary magazine,  without  advertisements ;  and  the  club  paid  over 
for  its  maintenance  a  sum  which,  added  to  the  subscriptions,  was 
sufficient  to  run  the  regular  issues,  and  pay  part  of  the  cost  of 
the  Souvenir  numbers.  Lack  of  hearty  support  from  the  stu- 
dents, who  perhaps  valued  less  what  cost  them  nothing,  con- 
tentions between  the  editorial  boards  of  the  two  publications 
thus  unequally  yoked  together,  and  errors  of  judgment  of  a 
business  manager,  contributed  to  the  failure  of  this  arrange- 
ment ;  by  consent  the  affairs  of  both  papers  were  placed  in  charge 
of  a  committee  of  teachers,  who  endeavored,  in  conference  with 
the  representatives  of  the  two,  periodicals,  to  liquidate  the  in- 
debtedness, and  rehabilitate  the  papers  if  possible.  They  formu- 
lated the  following  plan,  which  was  adopted  by  the  student 
organization,  and  has  proved  workable  and,  thus  far,  satisfactory. 

All  student  publications  are  supervised  by  a  committee  con- 
sisting of  three  teachers,  appointed  by  the  Principal,  three  stu- 
dents, chosen  by  the  executive  board  of  the  Associated  Students, 
and  the  editors  of  the  two  publications,  one  of  whom  is  elected 
by  the  Senior  Class,  one  by  the  committee  itself.  The  editors 
choose  their  own  staffs,  subject  to  approval  of  the  committee, 
which  also  appoints  from  its  student-members  an  auditor,  who 
receives  all  money  collected  by  the  business  managers,  and  pays 
all  bills  allowed  by  the  committee.  The  advantages  of  such  an 
organization  are  that  it  brings  the  faculty  into  close  touch  with 
the  school  papers,  thus  avoiding  many  misunderstandings,  and 
gives  to  the  editors  the  advice  and  support  of  representative 
students  not  directly  interested  in  the  publications,  and  of  those 
who  from  their  greater  maturity  and  wider  experience  can  be 
of  great  service  to  them,  especially  in  their  relations  with  out- 
side parties.  It  helps,  too,  in  maintaining  all  departments  of  the 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  9 

publications  on  a  business  footing.  Experience  has  shown  that 
much  of  the  friction  between  faculty  and  editors  is  obviated  by 
this  arrangement.  The  students  are  in  the  majority  on  the  com- 
mittee, and  can  outvote  the  faculty  members,  often  without  any 
fear  of  later  unpleasant  consequences.  Yet  in  spite  of  the  fact 
that  the  older  and  younger  heads  hold  widely  divergent  views 
on  many  matters,  and  these  views  are  often  held  with  consider- 
able intensity,  the  majority  has  uniformly  deferred  to  the  judg- 
ment of  the  minority,  and  few  steps  have  been  taken  by  the 
managements  without  voluntary  consultation  with  the  faculty 
members.  To  be  sure,  this  state  of  things  presupposes  several 
things:  the  encouragement  of  frank  and  free  discussion  of  all 
matters ;  willingness  on  the  part  of  the  faculty  members  to  show 
reasons  for  their  stand  where  it  would  be  easier,  and  perhaps 
justifiable,  to  exert  their  authority;  in  short,  that  the  teachers 
make  it  apparent  that  they  are  doing  their  best  to  promote  the 
enterprise,  not  merely  to  hold  it  in  check  or  place  impediments 
in  the  way  of  its  free  progress. 

IV. 
FINANCES — AUDITING    OF    ACCOUNTS:    SUBSCRIPTIONS. 

An  important  function  of  any  editorial  board  is  the  auditing 
of  accounts.  This  should  be  done  at  frequent  and  stated  inter- 
vals— not  less  often  than  once  a  month,  except  where  the  annual 
is  the  sole  publication.  Collections  should  be  in  the  hands  of  the 
auditor  or  treasurer  by  the  day  set  for  the  auditing,  and  both 
business  managers  and  other  fiscal  officers  should  present  writ- 
ten reports  showing  the  state  of  their  accounts  and  bills  payable 
and  receivable.  Bills  payable  should  be  considered  by  the\gdi4- 
torial  board,  and  if  approved,  allowed  and  ^aTH^bycrieck.  Pay-j 
ment  should  never  be  made  in  any  other  manner.  The  bank- 
account  of  a  school  paper  will  be  small,  and  in  itself  of  no  profit 
to  the  banker.  Yet  any  banker  will  gladly  carry  it  because  of  its 
educational  value. 

It  cannot  be  too  strongly  insisted  upon  that  every^pennyl 
received  be  receipted  for,  and  that  the  treasurer  give  his  receipt/ 
on  a  blank  that  may  be  identified  by  stub  or  carbon  duplicate,! 
for  everything  he  receives ;  and  pay'  out  by  check  only,  taking! 
vouchers  wherever  possible.  For  very  small  expenditures,  sucli* 
as  for  mailing  exchanges,  too  trivial  for  check,  cash  should  be 
advanced,  and  when  the  sum  total  reaches  an  appreciable 
amount  a  carefully  itemized  bill  be  put  in,  as  in  case  of  any  other 
creditor.  Or,  a  sufficient  sum  to  cover  such  regular  expendi- 
tures may  be  appropriated,  to  be  accounted  at  stated  intervals 
by  the  holder.  Banks  in  their  own  business  draw  drafts  for  a 
few  cents ;  but  a  check  should  not  ordinarily  be  drawn  for  less 


jo  THE  SCHOOL  PAPER 

than  a  dollar.  Careful  attention  to  such  matters  effects  two 
things :  it  aids  in  the  formation  of  businesslike  habits,  and  acts 
as  a  safeguard  against  the  little  leaks  that  tend  to  wreck  an 
enterprise. 

In  this  connection  it  may  be  well  to  consider  subscriptions.  A 
good  way  to  provide  for  a  paper  of  general  circulation  like  the 
school  weekly  is  to  make  the  subscription  price  an  addition  to 
the  class  or  school  dues,  and  collected  through  the  same  medium. 
This  method  is  practically  that  employed  by  many  organizations, 
for  example,  the  California  Teachers'  Association,  60  per  cent, 
of  the  membership  fee  of  which  is  considered  a  subscription  to 
the  Association  organ,  or  the  Classical  Association  of  the 
Atlantic  States,  the  dues  of  which  include  subscription  to  the 
Classical  Weekly. 

When  the  subscriptions  are  taken  by  personal  solicitation,  it 
/will  save  much  time  and  many  mistakes  if  a  few  simple  precau- 
tions are  taken.     The  solicitors  should  be  provided  by  the  man- 
agement with  receipt-books,  the  blanks  in  which  should  be  num- 
bered consecutively  before  giving  out.     As  an  additional  precau- 
\tion,  the  blanks  should  be  counted,  and  the  count  recorded.     It 
must  be   impressed  on  the   mind  of  the   solicitor  that  he  must 
/account  for  every  blank.     If  he  makes  a  mistake,  or  spoils  one, 
/it  is  not  the  proper  thing  for  him  to  tear  out  and  destroy  the 
blank,  but  he  should  mark  it  "spoiled"  or  "cancelled,"  and  turn 
it  in  at  settlement.     If  the  book  is  lost,  he  is  responsible  for  any 
I  receipts  that  may  be  presented  and  honored  by  the  management. 
jAnd  settlements  on  account  should  be  required  at  frequent  inter- 
/vals  ;  the  temptation  to  careless  handling  of  funds  belonging  to 
/  someone  else  is  severe,  even  in  mature  men,  and  solicitors  will 
very  likely  be,  many  of  them,  the  younger  boys,  to  whom  the 
\  responsibility  is  new  and  correspondingly  great. 
)     Where  a  Souvenir  or  annual  is  sold  on  advance  subscriptions, 
/the   receipt  of  the  solicitor  to  be  exchanged  for  the  magazine 
I  when   issued,  it  is  well  to  have  the  receipt-books  for  different 
\  years  or  semesters  of  different  size,  so  that  an  old  receipt  cannot 
/  be  substituted  fraudulently.     If  stock  receipts  are  not  used,  but 
blanks  specially  printed  by  the  management,  it  serves  the  same 
v  purpose  if  paper  differing  in  -color  is  used.     Considerable  con- 
fusion and  possible  errors  are  avoided,  too,  if  a  receipt  represents 
\but  a  single  copy. 

It  is  a  very  good  plan  for  every  one  who  handles  any  con- 
siderable amount  of  money  to  give  a  bond  to  secure  the  school 
against  loss  through  his  default.  This  may  seem  absurd ;  but 
the  fact  that  a  boy  has  obtained  the  suretyship  of  father,  mother, 
or  friend  gives  him  a  sense  of  responsibility  that  makes  him 
more  careful  and  particular,  and  helps  to  steer  him  clear  of  temp- 
tations. The  bond  may  be  of  the  simolest  form,  and  need  not 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  n 

be  for  a  very  large  amount.  The  student  and  his  surety  should 
both  sign,  and  their  signatures  be  witnessed.  In  some  States 
a  seal  is  necessary.  It  is  most  convenient  to  have  the  bond  run 
to  "the  Principal  or  his  successor  in  office,"  but  it  may  run  to 
any  agreed  school  authority. 

The  following  form  is  the  bond  required  of  the  editor-in-chief 
of  an  annual  who  is  responsible  for  the  finances  of  his  paper.  It 
will  readily  be  seen  that  for  most  officers  a  much  briefer  form 
will  fulfill  all  the  requirements: 

•KNOW  ALL  MEN  BY  THESE  PRESENTS:— That  we   

of    in  the  County  of   

•and   State  of   ,  as  principal,  and   of  said 

,  as  surety,  are  bound  and  obliged  unto 

,    Principal    of   the    High    School, 

in  the  sum  of  two  hundred  and  fifty  dollars,  to  be  paid  to  the  said 
Principal  or  his  successors;  for  the  payment  of  which  we  JOINTLY 
AM)  SEVERALLY  BIND  ourselves  and  our  respective  heirs,  execut- 
ors and  administrators,  by  these  presents. 

"'  liven   under  our  hands  and  seals  this    day  of 

,  in  the  Year  of  Our  Lord  one  thousand,  nine  hun- 
dred and  

'.'THE  CONDITION  OF  THIS  OBLIGATION  is  such  that  if  the 

said    shall   well  and  faithfully  perform  the 

duties  of  his  office  of  Editor-in-Chief  of  the    

of  (June)  19 as  the  same  shall  be  set  forth  in  the  instructions  given 

him  by  the  Publication  Committee  and  shall  pay  over  or  cause  to  be  paid 

over  to  the  General  Manager  of  the  Publications  of  the   

Hi^h  School  all  moneys  that  shall  come  into  his  hands  on  account  of 
said  issue  of  the  

"THEN  THIS  OBLIGATION  SHALL  BE  VOID  as  to  all  liabili- 
ties incurred  by  reason  of  said  editorship,  included  in  the  final  account 

rendered   to  the    Publication   Committee   of  the    

H  iu'1  School  by  the  said   ;  and  to  none  other : — 

'OTHERWISE  this  obligation  to  remain  in  full  force  and  effect. 

'Witness  :  L.   S. 

L.  S. 

V. 
THE    BUSINESS    MANAGER:    ADVERTISING. 

The  Business  Manager  of  the  paper  is,  from  a  financial  point 
of  view,  the  most  important  member  of  the  staff.  He  has  to 
secure  subscriptions,  solicit  advertisements,  collect  bills,  and  in 
general  see  that  the  funds  are  forthcoming  to  put  out  the  paper 
on  which  the  editor  has  decided.  The  requirements  of  his  office 
are  address,  energy,  tact,  accuracy  in  keeping  his  accounts, 
enough  executive  ability  to  handle  his  assistants,  good  judgment, 
and  a  keen  insight  into  human  nature.  Some  advertisers,  some 
patrons,  he  may  safely  leave  to  his  assistants,  some  he  must 
always  deal  with  himself,  and  he  must  know  which.  The  ideal 


12  THE  SCHOOL  PAPER 

business  manager  is  the  ideal  business  man  in  embryo.  Of  course, 
it  is  in  his  dealings  with  prospective  and  actual  advertisers  that 
he  is  tested  out.  The  school  paper  is  in  a  large  measure  [>idd 
for  by  its  advertising.  Probably  no  paper  is  sold  for  what  it 
costs;  usually  the  subscription  price  ranges  from  one-fift.  to 
one-half  of  the  actual  cost.  The  advertiser  is  apt  to  look  upon 
his  patronage  as  a  gift.  In  many  cases  it  is  so.  It  is  hard  to 
make  the  advertisements  of  the  monthly  or  the  annual  much  more 
than  mere  business  cards,  and  these  are  of  doubtful  value,  even 
in  professional  newspaperdom.  As  a  matter  of  fact,  nearly  all 
the  matter  in  the  country  weekly,  all  "programme"  advertising, 
and  a  good  share  of  the  permanent  "classified"  matter  of  larger 
sheets,  amounts  to  a  contribution  toward  the  publication,  and 
brings  practically  no  return  to  the  advertiser.  Just  in  this  place 
the  school  paper  may  be  of  the  highest  educative  value.  It  is 
an  open  secret  among  advertising  men  that  half  of  the  money 
spent  on  advertising  is  thrown  away.  The  invariable  card,  which 
amounts  to  a  directory  item,  has  its  place,  but  is  of  extremely 
limited  application.  The  display  ad.  of  unvarying  form,  too.  has 
its  uses,  but  it  must  be  such  that  its  stereotyped  design  ancl  the 
regularity  of  its  appearance  make  such  an  impression  on  the 
reader  that  he  misses  it  if  it  does  not  appear,  or  recognizes  the 
name  or  form  as  something  familiar  and  friendly  when  he  meets 
it  in  another  periodical,  or  on  a  sign,  or  in  the  course  of  trade. 
Some  ads.  should  always  contain  specific  announcements,  or 
mention  prices,  or  use  some  other  device  to  catch  the  attention. 
The  observant  student-journalist  will  note  these  things,  and 
learn  a  great  deal  about  effective  advertising  that  will  not  only 
be  of  immediate  use,  but  be  of  value  to  him  in  future  business 
life. 

The  value  of  the  advertising  is  to  some  extent  increased  if 
the  paper  appears  on  dates  definitely  announced  beforehand ; 
and  the  merchant  asked  and  encouraged  to  make  changes  from 
month  to  month,  so  he  may  make  his  advertisements  fresh  and 
seasonable  announcements.  Here  the  weekly,  not  in  magazine  but 
in  newspaper  form,  has  a  distinct  advantage.  Advertisers  who 
look  askance  at  the  monthly  are  very  ready  to  patronize  the 
weekly.  The  advertisement  is  in  plain  sight  of  every  reader, 
for  one  thing;  it  may  be  a  set  card,  or  a  display  ad.,  varying  in 
size,  form,  and  position  to  suit  the  notion  of  the  advertiser.  Ju.t 
the  similarity  of  the  sheet  to  the  journals  in  which  he  custom- 
arily advertises  predisposes  the  business  man  to  regard  this  ;-~:  ;i 
fit  and  valuable  medium  for  any  announcement  like  to  interest 
students.  And  there  is  little  doubt  that  the  value  of  such  a  paper 
as  an  advertising  medium  is  at  least  on  a  par  with  that  of  the 
local  weekly.  What  this  value  is  will  depend  largely  on  the  loyalty 
of  the  students.  They  must  be  made  to  feel  that  their  support 
of  the  paper  is  only  secondarily  the  small  sum  they  contribute 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  13 

as  subscription.  Of  far  more  importance  is  it  that  they  notice 
the  advertiser,  and  so  far  as  they  can,  patronize  him.  One  easy 
way  is  to  see  that  the  paper  reaches  home.  Parents  are  far  more 
interested  than  the  boy  or  girl  suspects  in  the  details  of  school 
life.  The  story  is  well-attested  of  the  agent  of  a  publishing  house 
who  met  with  unexpected  opposition  from  a  certain  school  trus-, 
tee,  a  blacksmith,  and  a  man  of  no  education.  Investigating,  he 
was  surprised  to  find  that  the  man  submitted  sample  books  to 
his  son,  a  boy  of  fourteen,  and  voted  for  the  books  the  boy 
liked  the  looks  of.  This  is  probably  an  exceptional  case,  but  it 
illustrates  a  common  occurrence.  A  school  paper  taken  home 
is  sure  to  be  perused  with  considerable  care  by  one  or  more  of 
the  adult  members  of  the  family.  They  will  certainly  scan  the 
advertisements  to  see  how  they  compare  with  those  in  the  news- 
paper, or  who  advertises,  and  the  result  is  pretty  sure  to  be 
patronage  of  the  man  who  patronizes  the  young  people's  journal. 
A  college  daily  makes  use  of  the  following  device,  which  is 
worth  considering.  Every  advertiser  is  given  a  large  placard, 
perhaps  12x14  inches,  bearing  in  display  type  this  legend: 

This  House 

advertises  in  the 

DAILY  PURPLE 

STUDENTS! 
PATRONIZE  IT. 

and  students  are  urged  to  trade  where  they  see  this  card  dis- 
played. It  is  true,  most  high  school  students  do  not  make  their 
own  purchases  to  any  extent ;  yet  they  are  not  without  influence 
in  determining  where  the  family  trade,  at  least  the  part  that  con- 
cerns themselves,  goes. 

A  careful  business  man  often  "keys"  his  ads.,  i.  e.,  in  some 
way  ascertains  what  returns  a  given  advertisement  brings  in. 
This  is  not  easy  to  do  in  case  of  a  school  paper,  still,  attempts 
to  do  it  are  not  useless.  The  careful  business  manager,  however, 
will  accept  keyed  ads.  only  at  the  advertiser's  risk. 

Advertising  space  must  be  sufficient  to  pay  a  due  share  of  the 
expenses,  and  yet  not  too  large  in  proportion  to  the  reading  mat- 
ter. It  must  be  so  displayed  as  to  ensure  as  far  as  possible  its 
being  read,  and  yet  not  so  as  to  seem  the  chief  part  of  the  paper. 
In  the  magazine  form,  the  front  cover,  at  least,  and  the  body  of 
the  magazine  should  be  sacred  from  advertising.  For  the  news- 
paper form,  the  make-up  of  any  first-class  daily  may  afford  a 
model. 

VI. 

CONTRACTS:  (a)  WITH  ADVERTISERS. 

Contracts    with    advertisers    should   be    definite   as    to   space, 


14  THE:  SCHOOL  PAPER 

time,  rate,  and  changes.     It  would  be  well  if  the  solicitor  made 

a  note  of  these  on  a  form  arranged  for  carbon  duplicate — the 

l  sales-check  obtainable   in   packets   at   any   stationer's   serves   the 

(purpose — handing  the  copy  to  the  advertiser  on  the  spot.     Few 

men  will  bother  with  a  formal  contract,  unless  they  have  a  form 

/  of  their  own,  or  wish  to  insist  on  some  special  stipulation. 

Many  will  pay  for  the  ad.  in  whole  or  in  part  in  merchandise 
or  services.  In  accepting  ads.  on  these  terms,  the  solicitor  must 
be  careful  to  take  only  those  of  tradesmen  with  whom  the 
students  themselves  commonly  trade ;  and  to  see  that  the  amount 
of  the  required  purchase  is  not  too  large. 


No.  517 

Sold  to    

19.... 

Dollars 


Business   Manager. 


THE  SCHOOL  HERALD 

No  517       San  Jose,  Cal., 190.. 

will   deliver   to 

the  sum  of  dollars 

in    merchandise    and    charge    to    the 
account  of 

THE  SCHOOL  HERALD. 
$ Business   Mgr. 


Form  of  Order  for  Merchandise. 

Thus,  a  shoedealer's  card,  paid  for  in  orders  of  the  denomina- 
tion of  one  or  two  dollars,  applicable  on  a  purchase  for  one-half 
of  the  bill,  is  worth  taking,  because  any  student  can  easily  effect 
a  purchase  of  such  goods  to  that  amount.  In  five-dollar  amounts 
on  the  same  terms  it  would  be  of  far  less  value,  since  it  is  un- 
likely that  many  students  will  buy  goods  to  the  amount  of  ten 
dollars.  It  must  be  taken  into  consideration,  too,  that  students 
are  gregarious,  and  like  to  patronize  certain  shoedealers,  certain 
tailors,  certain  confectioners,  to  the  exclusion  of  others  equally 
good,  and  do  not  easily  yield  even  to  parental  behest  to  do 
differently  from  their  fellows.  I  remember  a  letter  written  by 
a  tailor,  who  had  run  an  advertisement  in  a  school  paper,  up- 
braiding the  management  in  most  indignant  language  because 
the  students  did  not  patronize  him.  He  was  undoubtedly  correct 
in  stating  that  his  work  was  as  good  as  Mr.  Blank's;  but  Mr. 
Blank  continued  to  get  the  lion's  share  of  the  student  custom, 
and  this  in  spite  of  the  fact  that  he  was  not  rated  very  high 
among  men,  as  a  man  or  as  a  tailor.  So,  an  order  on  a  dealer 
with  whom  no  student  is  likely  to  have  any  dealing  on  his  own 
account — for  example,  a  carriage-maker — is  of  doubtful  value, 
whatever  the  amount  or  the  terms.  As  a  general  rule,  advertis- 
ing paid  for  in  orders  is  to  be  avoided;  still,  some  is  both  safe 
and  desirable.  The  popularity  of  a  merchant  is  an  element  to 
be  considered. 

Merchants  who  customarily  pay  for  part  of  their  advertising 


THE  -SCHOOL  PAPER  15 

in  this  way,  sometimes  issue  signed  orders  or  scrip  which  they 
undertake  to  honor.  In  other  cases  the  following  plan  has  been 
found  best.  Instead  of  an  order  on  the  merchant  drawn  by  the 
business  manager  of  the  paper,  the  manager  issues  scrip  or 
credit-checks,  and  when  he  presents  his  bill  receives  in  lieu  of 
cash  this  scrip  to  the  amount  of  the  bill,  signed  by  the  adver- 
tiser. There  may  be  one  piece  for  the  entire  amount,  or  several 
for  convenient  sums.  The  manager  determines  the  denomination, 
and  when  they  understand  the  system,  advertisers  usually  find 
it  convenient  and  satisfactory  from  their  point  of  view.  Some  will 
prefer  the  scrip  to  be  of  larger  denomination,  and  are  willing 
to  "charge"  small  purchases  by  endorsement,  until  the  whole 
credit  is  exhausted.  This  will  as  a  rule  bring  a  customer  in  for 
several  purchases,  as  against  one  by  a  person  who  buys  a  piece 
of  small  denomination.  Experience  has  shown  the  superiority 
of  scrip  like  that  described  over  orders,  even  if  these  are  acceptevl ; 
the  advertiser  signs  up  when  he  receives  his  bill,  so  is  not  put 
to  the  annoyance  of  having  to  stop  and  find  out  whether  he  is 
in  debt  to  the  paper ;  the  purchaser  is  certain  that  the  scrip  will 
be  honored,  and  without  annoying  delays ;  and  to  people  unfamil- 
iar with  business  forms  it  is  much  more  intelligible. 

Perhaps  it  may  be  well  to  add,  the  sale  of  scrip  or  orders  is 
one  of  the  hardest  tasks  the  business  manager  has.  He  must 
think  and  talk  scrip ;  happy  if  it  does  not  haunt  his  dreams.  It 
is  absolutely  essential  that  no  artificial  obstacles  be  put  in  his 
path.  One  of  the  fundamental  rules  of  the  mail-order  man  is — 


No. 


Date 
$.... 


Drawn    on 


Sold    to 


u 

«Q 
U 

o 

s 

d 

c 

0      $. 


tj  No San    Jose,     19. . 

£f  This  Certificate  will  be  accepted  as 
c  cash  by  the  undersigned,  when  pre* 
^  sented  in  payment  for  merchandise  of 
services,  to  the  amount  of 

3 DOLLARS, 

g  on    account   outadvertising     in      School 


Herald. 


Form  of  Scrip  Issued  by  the  Paper. 


in  case  of  complaint,  refund  the  money  without  argument,  ex- 
pressing hopes  that  the  next  purchase  will  prove  more  satisfac- 
tory. So  it  is  a  good  rule  for  the  manager,  in  selling  scrip,  to 
agree  to  refund  the  money  if  the  advertiser  does  not  accept  it 
without  demur.  Let  the  argument  be  between  the  business  man- 
ager and  the  advertiser,  not  between  either  of  them  and  their 
common  customer. 


16  THE  SCHOOL  PAPER 

VII. 

CONTRACTS — (b)     WITH    PRINTERS    AND    ENGRAVERS. 

Contracts  with  printers  and  engravers  also  form  an  important 
item  in  the  management  of  the  paper.  Printers  and  engravers 
are  not  ravening  wolves,  lying  in  wait  to  entrap  the  inexperienced 
student,  but  they  do  not  always  understand  his  circumstances 
exactly,  and  they  cannot  be  expected  to  look  too  closely  after  his 
interests.  It  must  be  admitted,  too,  that  they  are  not  always  as 
scrupulous  in  keeping  their  engagements  as  they  would  be  with 
other  people.  This  is  no  doubt  due  to  some  extent  to  the  fact 
that  the  student  is  not  always  particular  to  do  his  part  as  he 
should,  but  is  unpunctual,  careless  about  furnishing  legible  and 
well-prepared  copy,  or  changes  his  mind  about  some  important 
detail  at  the  last  moment,  after  the  printer  has  gone  to  the 
trouble  to  provide  stock  or  engage  special  help.  'In  what  fol- 
lows, I  shall  speak  particularly  of  the  printer's  contract,  since 
that  of  the  engraver  is  rarely  more  than  a  verbal  order,  his 
rates  being  determined  by  a  fixed  scale  of  prices. 

Since  the  contract  will  in  the  nature  of  things  be  made  for  not 
longer  than  a  year,  no  writing  is  necessary  to  ensure  its  validity-* 
On  t)ie  other  hand,  a  written  contract  shows  exactly  what  each 
party  has  agreed  to  do,  and  obviates  disputes  and  misunder- 
standings. 

As  in  case  of  the  bond,  no  particular  form  is  requisite.  All 
that  is  required  is  a  memorandum  stating  in  plain  terms  what 
the  agreement  is,  signed  by  both  parties.  What  is  to  go  into  the 
contract  is  of  more  importance.  It  should  be  stipulated  on  what 
kind  of  paper  the  journal  is  to  be  printed;  if  a  magazine,  the 
kind,  quality,  perhaps  the  color  of  the  cover ;  the  size  or  style  of 
type  to  be  used ;  the  frequency  of  issue;  the  number  of  pages,  and 
price  per  page  for  the  desired  number  of  copies.  If  there  are  to 
be  engravings  requiring  a  special  paper,  that  should  be  noted. 
Special  mention  should  be  made  of  folding,  since  with  some 
houses  this  is  an  extra  charge.  Of  course,  much  of  this  may  be 
omitted  if  either  party  submits  a  sample,  and  the  agreement  is 
to  make  the  proposed  periodical  similar  to  the  sample  in  all  or 
specified  respects.  Thus,  the  following,  in  form  of  an  offer  or 
bid,  when  accepted  by  the  proper  officer  of  the  paper,  becomes 
a  valid  and  sufficient  contract : 


*Our  inherited  law  of  contracts,  adopted  or  enacted  in  all  the  States, 
provides  that  an  agreement  or  some  memorandum  thereof  must  be  in 
writing,  and  signed  by  the  party  to  be  charged  or  someone  authorized  to 
sign  for  him,  unless  the  agreement  is  to  be  performed  within  the  space 
of  one  year. 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  17 

"To  the  Editor  of  the : 

Dear  Sir: 

\Ve   will   print   the  June  issue   of  the    ,  650 

copies,  158  pages,  in  all  respects  like  the  issue  of  January,  for  $450. 
Extra  pages,  $2.53  per  page. 

Verv  truly  yours, 

THE  ART  PRINTING  CO.. 
..  By  A.  B.,  Manager." 

Another,  with  more  details: 

"To  the  Editor  of  the    : 

Dear    Sir: 

We  will  print  your  June  issue  according  to  the  following  speci- 
fications : 

650  copies,  176  pages,  extension  cover,  two  colors  and  embossed; 
stock  to  be  same  as  ufcd  in  June,  1910,  issue — 32x46,  120  Ib.  If  140  Ib5 
to  be  $15  extra. 

Approximately,     15  pages  8  point  type 
80  pages  10  point  type 
50  copper  half-tones 
500  inches  of  line  cuts ; 

One  two-color  insert  page,  pin  embossed, "  heavy  pink  paper, 
for  $497. 

Insert  pages  of  white  parchemin,  not  printed,  to  be  $1.00  each. 
Imprinting  in  second  color,  one  page  $3.00;  where  two  pages  can  be  run 
together,  $1.75  per  page. 

Very  truly  yours, 

THE  ART  PRINTING  CO., 

By  A.  B.,  Manager." 

Where  there  are  several  issues,  as  of  a  monthly  or  weekly, 
rates  should  be  included  for  the  normal  number  of  copies  of  the 
size  specified,  and  also  for  additional  copies  or  additional  pages 
in  any  issue.  In  most  cases,  the  price  of  additional  copies  should 
be  materially  less,  as  the  cost  to  the  printer  is  little  more  than 
stock  and  pressman's  time. 

For  the  school  newspaper,  some  further  details  are  needed.  It 
should  be  stipulated  that  the  quoted  price  includes  ads.  in  dis- 
play or  job  type;. if  desired,  a  limit  may  be  set  to  the  space  to 
be  occupied  by  such  matter,  but  in  practice  that  will  settle  itself. 
At  any  rate,  it  ought  to  be  specified  how  much  display  type  is 
to  be  used  in  column  headings.  If  composition  is  linotype,  this 
may  be  hand-work,  and  more  expensive  to  the  printer.  There 
are  sure  to  be  times  when  the  matter  wished  to  be  printed  will 
be  in  excess  of  the  regular  amount.  Then  it  will  be  desirable 
or  necessary  to  enlarge  the  paper.  This  may  be  done  in  several 
ways:  by  adding  extra  pages,  sometimes  the  best  and  the  only 
way,  but  often  expensive  because  of  the  extra  labor  of  assemb- 
ling and  folding:  by  adding  an  extra  column,  sometimes  an 
awkward  thing  for  the  printer,  and  making  neat  binding  im- 
possible ;  or — generally  the  most  feasible  way — changing  the 
size  of  type.  It  is  well  to  provide  in  the  contract  for  all  these 
possibilities,  and  to  fix  prices  allowing  change  of  dress  in  whole 
or  in  part. 

The  success  of  a  school  paper,  financially,  depends  to  a  great 


i8  THE  "SCHOOL  PAPER 

extent  on  the  promptness  and  regularity  with  which  it  appears. 
The  printer  should  therefore  covenant  to  deliver  at  a  specified 
place  on  a  specified  day  and  hour,  and  if  so,  a  corresponding 
time  should  be  set  at  which  all  copy  shall  be  in  his  hands.  Very 
reasonably  he  may  stipulate  regarding  time  and  manner  of  pay- 
ment. If  he  understands  that  prompt  payment  will  follow  his 
exact  performance  of  his  contract,  he  will  do  his  best  to  perform 
it  to  the  letter. 

The  following  forms  of  contract  for  school  papers  of  different 
types  may  be  instructive: 

I. 

"THIS  AGREEMENT  is  hereby  entered  into  between  A.  &  Co., 
Printers,  B.  C.,  Manager,  and  "The  Bell,"  C.  D.,  Editor. 

A.  &  Co.,  agree  to  print,  bind,  and  deliver  650  copies  of  "The  Bell" 
of  the  X  High  School,  upon  the  following  specifications : 

176  pages,  divided  about  as  follows — 48  half-tones,  15  line  cuts,  15 
No.  8  type,  76  No.  10  type,  16  ads.,  6  small  display. 

Stock  140  Ib.  Peerless  Enamelled,  cover  High  Grade.  Inside 
printed  black  ink,  2  inserts  in  two  colors,  cover  printed  in  colors  or  em- 
bossed relief. 

PRICE,  Five  hundred  ($500)  dollars.  Additional  pages  @  $2.50; 
extra  color  on  insert  page  @  $1.50.  Additional  copies  $6.25  per  25. 

Copy  and  cuts  to  be  furnished  printer:  commencing  May  2nd.,  sec- 
ond quarter  by  May  16th.,  3rd.  quarter  by  May  20th.,  last  by  June  1st. 
Issue  to  be  delivered  on  or  before  June  20th. 

The  "Bell"  management  agrees  to  the  above,  and  further  that  pay- 
ments be  made  as  follows :  One-fourth  May  1st.,  one-half  within  ten 
days  following-  delivery,  and  balance  within  thirty  days. 

(Signed) 
A.  &  Co.,  C.   D., 

by  B.  C.,  Manager.  for  "The   Bell." 

April   19th.,   1911. 

II. 
MEMORANDUM    OF    AGREEMENT. 

Entered  into  between  E.  &  Co.,  printers,  and  "The  School  Herald," 
per  manager,  for  a  period  of  one  school  year,  namely  the  school  year 
1910-1911,  as  follows: 

E.  &  Co.,  agree  to  print  The  School  Herald,  weekly,  1000  copies,  4 
pages  12  1-2x17,  5  columns,  Standard  book,  10-point  type,  including  ads., 
for  $19  per  issue. 

Also,  to  print  similar  paper  in  six  pages  for  $31.50  per  issue,  ana  8 
pages  tor  $40.CO  per  issue.  These  increased  sizes  to  be  issued  not  oftener 
than  monthly  unless  by  special  agreement. 

If  set  in  12-point  type,  a  reduction  of  25c  per  column  will  be  made, 
if  set  in  8-point  type  an  increase  of  25c.  The  size  of  the  paper  may  be 
increased  from  five  to  six  columns  for  any  issue  at  the  option  of  the 
management,  and  for  such  increase  the  charge  shall  be  $5.75  extra  for 
four  pages.  Additional  copies  will  be  furnished  for  50c  per  50  copies. 

The  management  of  The  School  Herald  agrees  to  pay  E.  &  Co.  for 
printing  the  said  Herald  at  the  rates  above  stipulated;  and  to  furnish- 
copy  one  and  one-half  days  previous  to  issue. 

Witness  the  signatures  of  the  manao-er  of  The  School  Herald  and 
the  management  of  the  firm  of  E.  &  Co.  this  22nd  day  of  September, 
A.  D.  1910. 

Manager.  Manager. 

For  E.  &  Co.  For  School   Herald. 


THE   SCHOOL  PAPER  19 

Of  course,  in  a  contract  of  this  kind,  where  one  party  is  a 
minor,  while  the  printer  is  legally  bound  by  his  agreement,  the 
student  is  not.  This  is  no  real  objection  to  the  written  contract, 
for,  in  the  first  place,  it  is  equally  true  of  the  verbal  agreement; 
and  in  the  second  place,  the  minor,  while  not  liable  on  the  con- 
tract, may  be  liable  for  fraud.  Few  printers  will  object  to  it. 
In  a  case  that  came  under  the  writer's  observation,  an  editor, 
finding  that  the  limit  set  by  the  school  authorities  to  his  ex- 
penditure upon  a  Souvenir  number  would  not  permit  him  to  in- 
clude some  features  he  desired,  ordered  the  additions  made, 
without  consulting  anybody,  and  when  the  printer  demurred, 
said,  "Go  ahead,  the  School  will  stand  back  of  me;  there's  plenty 
of  money."  The  result  was  a  deficit  of  over  a  hundred  dollars, 
which  the  school  very  properly  declined  to  make  up.  The  stu- 
dent sought  to  avoid  responsibility  on  the  plea  that  he  was  a 
minor.  But  it  was  so  evident  that  his  act  was  one  of  misrep- 
resentation and  fraud  that  he  was  held  liable  and  compelled  to 
make  good  the  debt. 

Some  printers  require  a  bond,  for  greater  security,  but  as  a 
rule  they  rely  on  the  honor  and  good  intentions  of  the  student. 
The  manager  of  a  house  that  makes  a  specialty  of  school  and 
c .-.liege  publications  told  me  that  he  had  never  lost  a  cent  in  his 
dealings  with  students,  though  he  often  had  to  wait  for  his 
money. 

VIII. 

THE    EDITOR — CENSORSHIP. 

The  editing  of  the  paper  requires  besides  judgment  and  ex- 
ecutive ability,  a  degree  of  literary  ability,  a  sense  of  proportion 
and  of  fitness.  The  editor  must  decide  what  literary  matter  is 
suited  at  once  to  the  type  of  periodical  he  is  running,  and  to  the 
ta.-te  of  his  patrons.  He  ought  to  have  a  keen  scent  for  the 
plagiarized  contributions  that  our  school  papers  too  often  have 
to  apologize  for.  The  amount  of  matter  of  a  given  kind  that 
shall  go  into  an  issue  is  his  to  determine ;  and  he  must  be  able 
to  reject  the  unfit  or  the  superfluous  with  a  sole  regard  to  the 
effect  on  his  issue.  This  is  not  an  easy  thing,  even  for  the  ma- 
ture editor:  witness  almost  any  issue  of  almost  any  periodical. 
But  a  harder  thing — and  one  the  professional  does  not  have  to 
think  of* — is  to  deal  with  his  contributors  so  as  to  develop  tal- 
ent, and  encourage  contributions  without  accepting  inferior  stuff 
or  seeming  to  be  arbitrary  or  hypercritical. 

*Richarcl  W.  Gilder  is  a  possible  exception.  The  student  editor  will 
find  very  suggestive  what  is  said  of  his  editorial  methods  in  the  Cen- 
tury Magazine  for  February,  1910.  and  March,  1911. 


2O  THE  SCHOOL  PAPER 

The.  editorial  staff  may  be  worth  a  passing  remark.  Too  fre- 
quently the  sole  aim  of  the  editor  is  to  distribute  the  departments 
among  his  personal  friends,  with  little  regard  to  their  qualifica- 
tions. This  is  possibly  in  return  ior  their  services  in  electing 
him  to  a  position  for  which  he  is  equally  unfit.  Some  schools 
establish  fixed  rules  of  qualification ;  in  others  the  same  end  is 
attained  by  requiring  the  editor  to  submit  the  list  of  his  nomi- 
nees and  discussing  it  with  him.  It  happens  now  and  then  that 
the  editor  is  only  too  glad  to  be  saved  from  his  friends  by  some 
higher  power. 

Newspaper  work  has  a  strong  fascination  for  many  of  our 
boys,  and  a  large  school,  in  the  West  at  any  rate,  is  rarely  with- 
out students  who  are  actually  doing  work  on  the  staffs  of  the 
local  journals ;  many  go  from  school  directly  to  the  newspaper 
office.  It  would  be  idle  to  claim  that  the  ordinary  school  gives 
any  direct  training  for  practical  journalism.  Yet  there  is  an 
opportunity  here  that  should  not  be  neglected.  The  school  news- 
paper at  least  can  organize  its  staff  somewhat  on  the  lines  of  a 
city  daily :  with  a  business  department  every  member  of  which  has 
his  definite  duty  to  perform — advertising,  collections,  circulation, 
subscriptions,  etc. ;  and  an  editorial  department,  with  editorial 
writers,  a  news  editor  with  his  reportorial  staff,  paragrapher, 
and  literary  editor.  Training  can  be  had  that  will  be  well  worth 
the  time  given  to  the  work;  and  talent  will  be  developed  the 
existence  of  which  .was  unsuspected  by  the  class-instructor  or 
the  student  himself. 

Right  here  comes  in  the  vital  question  of  censorship  by  the 
teachers.  Student  editors  should  be  thrown  as  much  as  pos- 
sible on  their  own  responsibility.  But  even  under  the  best  con- 
ditions many  teachers  think  that  there  is  yet  need  for  a  strict 
supervision  of  the  matter  that  goes  into  the  paper.  For  the  paper 
stands  to  the  outside  public  for  the  school,  and  the  teachers  are 
vitally  interested  to  see  that  it  represents  the  best  sentiment 
among  the  students,  and  that  it  is  one  of  the  highest.  And  the 
best  of  editors  is  apt  to  lack  perspective,  and  to  fail  in  judgment 
or  in  vigilance.  During  a  period  of  heated  political  strife,  in 
which  the  High  School  had  unfortunately  become  a  storm-centre, 
a  clergyman  who  had  taken  a  prominent  part  in  affairs  took 
occasion  in  a  public  speech  to  make  some  ill-considered  state- 
ments regarding  the  school.  The  students  were  rightly  indig- 
nant, and  the  editor  of  the  school  paper,  in  a  very  caustic  article, 
charged  the  gentleman  with  lying.  That  the  charge  was  true 
was  undoubted.  But  the  interest  of  the  school  demanded  that 
the  utterances  be  passed  over  as  something  due  to  the  excite- 
ment of  the  moment,  and  the  editor's  act,  the  motive  of  which 
was  loyalty,  only  fomented  the  bitterness  of  the  controversy. 

There  are  two  departments  that  certainly  ought  to  be  strictly 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  21 

censored.  One  is  the  editorials.  Some  of  the  best  issues  I  have 
ever  seen  were  marred  by  editorials  written  without  due  deliber- 
ation, or  colored  by  feeling  entirely  personal  or  by  misapprehen- 
sions easily  removed  when  they  became  known.  The  editorials 
are  too  important  a  part  of  the  paper  to  be  carelessly  handled. 
The  Principal  can  be  of  great  service  here.  An  editor-in-chief 
properly  chosen  ought  to  be  in  the  Principal's  confidence.  It  is 
a  common  saying  that  the  newspaper  man  is  the  safest  man  to 
trust  with  your  secret.  What  he  picks  up  in  the  course  of  his 
labors,  or  ferrets  out,  he  considers  his  property,  to  be  used  for  a 
"story"'  when  it  suits  his  purpose.  But  he  can  generally  be  de- 
pended on  not  to  divulge  prematurely  what  is  told  him  in  con- 
fidence, or  to  make  an  improper  use  of  it.  So  the  student  editor 
can,  I  believe,  generally  be  trusted  with  inside  information  on 
matters  of  school  policy,  and  the  result  will  be  the  elimination  of 
editorial  utterances  attacking  the  school  administration,  owing 
to  inaccurate  information,  or  misapprehension  of  what  is  the 
actual  intent  of  the  Principal's  action. 

The  other  department  is  the  "josh  column,"  dear  to  the  heart 
of  most  pupils.  Every  school  furnishes  plenty  of  humorous  in- 
cident, and  localisms,  though  not  very  intelligible  to  the  outside 
world,  are  best  appreciated  by  the  student  body.  It  is  a  question 
for  the  most  careful  discrimination  how  far  personalities  should 
extend.  A  general  rule  may  be  laid  down  that  grinds  or  hits 
must  not  be  ill-natured,  must  not  humiliate  or  wound.  It  goes 
without  saying  that  the  coarse  or  vulgar  must  be  rigidly  exclud- 
ed. Many  teachers  and  pupils  lend  themselves  to  ridicule,  and 
good-humored  fun-making,  if  not  carried  too  far,  may  not  be 
objectionable.  I  have  known  a  take-off  to  cure  a  teacher  of 
careless  habits  of  dress  and  manner  where  the  serious  admon- 
itions of  the  Principal  had  failed  of  effect;  and  the  severest  in- 
dictment brought  against  an  editor  whose  administration  was  ?n 
question  was  that  only  his  "set"  won  mention  in  the  joke-column. 
But  the  line  between  the  permissible  and  the  reprehensible  is  a 
difficult  one  to  draw,  and  the  point  of  view  of  the  teacher-cen- 
sor is  worth  obtaining.  If  my  reading  of  school  journals  is  not 
at  fault,  there  is  room  for  the  teacher's  taste  and  direction,  too, 
in  the  use  of  paste  and  scissors.  To  be  sure,  when  even  the  fam- 
ous "Drawer"  admits  jokes  that  might  have  charmed  King 
Pepin's  infancy,  one  must  not  be  too  hard  on  the  student  editor 
who  fails  to  reverence  old  age  in  witticisms.  Still,  some  jokes 
have  certainly  earned  repose.  And  next  to  having  your  own  jest 
retailed  with  the  whole  point  left  out.  I  do  not  know  anything 
more  exasperating  than  to  find  yourself  credited  with  a  jest  you 
would  never  have  been  guilty  of  perpetrating — a  scissoring  in 
which  the  editor  has  obtained  local  color  by  inserting  home 
names  in  place  of  those  he  found  printed. 


22  THE  SCHOOL  PAPER 

IX. 
POSTAL   ENTRY. 

\Yhen  the  paper  is  well  established,  the  question  will  arise  of 
entry  as  second-class  matter  at  the  Post-Office.  Now  if  there  is 
any  place  in  the  public  service  where  circumlocution-office  meth- 
ods prevail,  more  than  anywhere  else,  it  is  the  Post-Office  De- 
partment; and  this  is  especially  true  just  in  this  thing.  The 
editors  of  school  papers  have  given  up  in  despair  because  of  the 
obstacles  presented  by  departmental  red  tape.  Yet  it  is  worth 
while  to  secure  second-class  entry,  aside  from  the  privileges  of 
registration,  because  of  the  dignity  it  gives  a  publication. 

The  requirements  of  the  law  itself  are  simple,  and  should  be 
exactly  followed.  A  publication  must  be  issued  at  regular  in- 
tervals, must  state  time  and  place  of  publication,  be  numbered 
consecutively,  and  give  the  subscription  price  and  name  of  editor 
and  publisher.  Note  of  the  entry  when  made  (and  care  must  be 
taken  not  to  state  that  the  paper  has  been  entered  before  the 
official  permit  is  received)  must  be  in  a  set  form  of  words  which 
the  post-office  will  prescribe.  In  his  application,  the  editor  must 
state  under  oath  his  circulation,  what  disposition  is  made  of  every 
copy  of  the  issue  of  nearest  date,  and  certify  that  at  least  half 
the  issue  goes  to  actual  paying  subscribers,  a  list  of  whom  he 
had  best  submit.  If  the  subscriptions  are  taken  by  solicitors, 
and  receipts  given,  the  stubs  will  afford  an  easy  and  perfect 
proof  of  the  subscription-lists.  If,  as  was  suggested  in  Chapter 
IV,  subscriptions  are  collected  with  student  dues  or  taxes,  the 
management  must  be  prepared  to  show  that  the  subscription  is 
not  in  itself  a  tax,  but  that  individual  students  are  given  an  op- 
tion, and  subscribe  voluntarily.  A  good  piece  of  advice  is,  take 
the  Postmaster  into  your  confidence,  and  do  everything  he  deems 
necessary  or  advisable. 

In  conclusion,  the  school  paper  is  an  important  and  increas- 
ingly popular  factor  in  school  life.  But  its  value  depends  en- 
tirely on  the  way  it  is  conducted.  It  requires  and  deserves  the 
careful  study,  the  persistent  effort,  the  intelligent  interest  of 
both  teacher  and  student.  Its  successful  conduct  calls  for  the 
employment  of  the  best  business  methods;  and  as  it  may  if 
loosely  and  thoughtlessly  conducted  be  pernicious  in  its  influ- 
ence on  its  managers  and  on  the  school,  so  under  best  conditions 
it  may  be  made  a  most  helpful  and  practical  school  both  for 
actual  journalism  and  for  business  life,  and  a  centre  from  which 
radiates  school  spirit  in  the  fullest  and  best  sense  of  the  words. 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  23 

PART  II— THE  MECHANICS  OF  THE  PAPER. 
L 

PURPOSES  AND   POLICY. 

Under  the  title  Mechanics  will  be  discussed  everything  that 
concerns  the  make-up,  the  operation,  and  the  printing  of  the  pa- 
per, and  the  various  processes  involved  in  the  preparation  of  the 
printed  sheet. 

At  the  outset,  it  is  of  first  importance  that  the  editor  set  clear- 

fore  himself  the  purpose  of  the  publication,  and  the  office  it 

really  performs.     This  is  the  key  to  the  whole  situation ;  for  these 

-  decide  the  type  of  paper  that  is  to  be  put  out,  and  shape 

'1  icy. 

The  school  paper  is  primarily  a  picture  of  school  life.  That  is, 
whatever  secondary  purpose  the  publication  may  serve,  it  must 
first  of  all  be  a  record  of  school  events,  a  register  of  school 
names  and  faces.  To  make  a  paper  what  this  implies,  the  col- 
umns should  be  opened  as  freely  as  possible  to  articles  and 
stories  representing  every  school  interest.  Names  of  students 
participating  in  the  various  activities  should  be  recorded  impar- 
tially and  consistently.  an(l  as  much  use  made  of  portraits  as  is 
pn^ible.  This  is  of  no  mean  importance  viewed  merely  as  an  in- 
ducement to  the  students  to  subscribe  for  the  paper. 

It  need  not  be  said  that  the  paper  must  be  pleasing  in  appear- 
ance and  interesting.  Indeed,  attractiveness  is  an  indispensable 
quality.  A  large  expenditure  of  money  is  an  aid,  not  a  require- 
ment, in  making  the  appearance  attractive.  Every  idea,  whether 
expressed  in  the  organization  of  the  contents,  or  in  the  original- 
ity and  the  treatment  of  the  material,  should  be  directed  toward 
the  attainment  of  this  end.  How  important  this  is  can  be  under- 
stood when  it  is  remembered  that  the  sale  of  the  great  newspa- 
pers and  magazines  depends  much  on  the  general  appearance  of 
the  publication,  and  some  of  the  highest  salaried  men  are  em- 
ployed in  making  the  appearance  attractive. 

tern  in  arrangement  is  perhaps  the  principal  factor  in  de- 
termining the   general   effect  of  the  publication.     The  contents 
should   be   arranged   under   headings   in    some    logical    system. 
Tims,  in  a  magazine  a  systematic  scheme  of  headings  for  depart- 
ments   may   be: — introduction,    literary,    classes,     school    notes, 
athletics,   facetiae,  advertisements.     Pictures   should  also  be  ar- 
ranged logically;  and  those  filling  the  same  office  should  bear  a 
harmonious  relationship  in  size,  shape,  finish,  and  position. 
''Costly  thy  habit  as  thy  purse  can  buy; 
But  not  express'd  in  rancy — rich,  not  gaudy." 
A  small  book  with  clever  illustrations  is  more  to  be  desired1  than 
a  big  book  with  uninviting,  monotonous  pages. 


24  THE   SCHOOL  PAPER 

Originality  finds  ample  field  for  exercise  in  the  use  and  ar- 
rangement of  stories,  engravings,  inserts,  in  the  style  of  typer 
and  in  the  cover.  One  often  finds  a  high  degree  of  originality 
and  artistic  talent  displayed  in  the  cartoons,  mat-decorating,  and 
designing  of  school  papers. 

On  the  other  hand,  it  is  here  that  poor  judgment  is  often 
shown ;  a  disproportionate  percentage  of  the  funds  are  expended 
upon  the  cover,  or  some  other  one  feature.  No  feature  ought  to 
be  conspicuously  superior  or  inferior  to  the  rest  of  the  paper. 
The  publication  should  harmonize  throughout,  with  emphasis  on 
groups  of  important  features. 

II. 
REVENUES   OF    THE    PAPER. 

The  size  .and  style  of  publication  must  be  decided  upon  at  the 
outset,  but  nothing  can  be  done  until  the  resources  have  been  in- 
vestigated. The  revenue  will  be  found  to  come  from  three 
sources;  subscriptions,  advertisements,  and  donations. 

The  subscription  money  will  be  found  to  depend  directly  upon 
the  number  of  copies  sold  and  the  price  charged  per  copy.  Es- 
timates should  in  a  large  part  be  based  upon  the  sale  of  the  pub- 
lication in  previous  years  and  at  times  when  the  conditions  are 
similar.  Fluctuating  forces  influence  the  sale  of  any  publication. 
A  large  sale  may  safely  be  counted  on  for  a  souvenir  issue,  when 
sold  at  the  end  of  the  school  year,  and  this  sale  will  be  in  a  direct 
ratio  to  the  size  of  the  graduating  class.  If  no  other  statistics 
are  available,  one  will  not  be  far  astray  in  calculating  a  sale  of 
copies  to  60  per  cent  of  the  students.  The  advance  sale  of  the 
publication  is  a  reliable  means  of  determining  to  what  extent 
the  sale  will  run. 

Advertisements  are  an  important  source  of  revenue.  The  edi- 
tor should  begin  by  determining  the  amount  of  space  that  can 
be  utilized  for  advertisements  and  the  sum  of  money  that  must 
be  obtained  for  this  service.  The  price  per  column  inch  and  the 
price  per  page  should  be  fixed  at  this  time. 

Donations  are  little  more  than  advertisements  of  the  students. 
They  pay  for  the  printing,  engraving,  and  space,  as  do  the  mer- 
chants. The  income  from  this  source  may  be  estimated  with  a 
large  degree  of  accuracy  in  tidvance.  The  school  organizations 
may  be  required  to  pay  for  the  space  devoted  to  them.  The  ex- 
pense incurred  on  account  of  each  organization  should  be  deter- 
mined, and  charges  levied  accordingly.  For  example,  an  organ- 
ization having  one  page  of  composition  and  one  page  of  engrav- 
ing is  assessed  $10.00.  The  items  are:  photograph,  $1.50;  print- 
ing, two  pages  at  $2.25;  engraving,  4x8  inches  at  12/^c,  $3.50; 
margin,  profit  or  incidentals,  $.50. 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  25 

A  class  which  is  responsible  for  a  publication,  or  a  graduating 
class  which  is  especially  concerned  with  a  souvenir  issue,  may  in 
like  manner  be  required  to  contribute  in  proportion  to  the  space 
assigned  to  them,  or  they  may  make  such  donation  as  is  possible. 

The  various  societies  and  organizations  as  well  as  individuals 
should  bear  the  expense  of  their  own  photographs.  Athletic 
teams,  student  officers,  and  the  like,  are  not  ordinarily  assessed. 

Although  some  attention  should  be  paid  to  distributing  the 
funds  among  the  various  heads  of  expense,  no  definite  amounts 
can  be  settled  upon  until  the  printer's  contract  has  been  drawn 
up.  Then  it  is  advisable  to  apportion  the  money  in  various  sums, 
as,  for  printing,  engraving,  and  incidentals.  The  amounts  so 
apportioned  should  be  definitely  fixed,  and  all  plans  made  to  con- 
form to  these  appropriations. 

Regarding  the  estimates  made  above,  it  is  advisable  to  examine 
the  figures  with  great  care  before  contracts  are  drawn  up.  Fur- 
thermore, a  margin  of  at  least  15  per  cent  should  be  left  on  all 
items  that  can  not  be  accurately  determined.  This  usually  would 
mean  a  discount  on  the  estimates  on  subscriptions,  and  advertise- 
ments. This  precaution  may  keep  the  paper  out  of  debt,  if  the 
funds  fall  short  of  the  calculations,  and  in  case  the  full  amount 
is  realized  the  money  may  be  utilized  to  good  advantage,  as  in 
engravings,  in  a  better  grade  of  paper,  etc. 

III. 

MAKING   THE   CONTRACTS. 

The  printer's  contract  should  be  made  first.  When  approach- 
in^  the  printer  the  editor  will  do  well  to  submit  a  book  which  in 
size,  binding,  paper,  type,  and  space  in  engravings  resembles  the 
book  to  be  issued.  It  is  necessary  at  the  same  time  for  the  stu- 
dent publisher  to  be  familiar  with  specifications  to  be  made  in  the 
contracts,  as  suggested  in  Pt.  I,  Chap.  VII. 

Whether  or  not  the  specifications  shall  be  submitted  for  com- 
petitive bids  will  be  a  matter  for  careful  consideration.  In  some 
cities  organizations  or  combinations  of  printers  exist,  the  effect 
of  which  is  to  compel  the  acceptance  of  the  highest  bid.  In  such 
a  case  it  is  wisest  to  select  a  reputable  printer,  and  obtain  from 
him  the  best  figures  possible. 

Engravings  or  cuts  may  be  verbally  contracted  for.  The  price 
per  square  inch  of  copper  half  tones,  zinc  half  tones,  line  cuts, 
embossings,  steel  dies,  and  additional  color  plates  should  be  in- 
cluded in  the  agreement.  Engravers  commonly  charge  a  "mini- 
mum price";  that  is,  a  fixed  price  for  all  cuts  smaller  than  a 
specified  size,  with  which  the  scale  of  prices  per  square  inch  be- 
gins. For  example,  a  minimum  price  of  one  dollar  may  be 
charged  for  all  engravings  having  an  area  of  ten  square  inches 


26  THE;   SCHOOL   PAI>KK 

or  under;  while  larger  cuts  are  charged  at  the  rate  of  10  cts.  per 
sq.  in.  It  should  be  made  clear  by  the  engraver  if  such  minimum 
rate  is  to  charged. 

Photographs  also  may  be  contracted  for  verbally.  Reasonable 
prices  should  be  secured  on  the  various  sizes  of  individual,  ob- 
ject, and  group  pictures,  and  a  guarantee  of  satisfaction  should 
be  had  with  every  piece  of  work.  The  photographer  should  state 
the  finish  of  the  pictures  (sepia,  dark,  light,  etc.),  the  number  of 
sittings,  and  the  time  within  which  he  will  complete  his  work. 

The  half  cabinet  picture  will  be  found  a  convenient  size  for  the 
bust  picture,  while  the  full  cabinet  may  be  desirable  for  the  full 
picture.  To  avoid  shadows  on  the  mats,  the  portrait  should  be 
composed  of,  or  be  printed  on  thin  paper.  A  medium  dark  fin- 
ish may  be  depended  upon  to  give  satisfactory  results,  but  pleas- 
ing unique  effects  may  be  had  by  employing  other  devices.  As 
far  as  possible,  all  pictures  should  be  taken  in  the  studio,  where 
the  most  favorable  conditions  for  photographing  are  sure  to  be 
found. 

IV. 
THE  SCHOOL   NEWSPAPER. 

In  general,  what  has  been  said  in  the  preceding  chapters  wilt 
be  found  to  apply  to  the  school  newspaper  almost  as  much  as  to 
the  magazine.  Theoretically,  the  duties  of  the  management  may 
seem  to  be  the  same ;  but  in  actual  practice  the  work  on  the  news- 
paper will  be  found  to  be  more  specialized,  particularly  that  part 
which  has  to  do  with  the  handling  of  news.  It  has  a  peculiar 
character  because  of  the  quickness  with  which  the  work  must  be 
handled. 

The  same  problems  that  have  to  be  met  by  the  daily  papers, 
and  even  by  the  school  magazine,  must  be  met  to  a  certain  de- 
gree by  the  school  newspaper.  Great  care  must  be  exercised  in 
maintaining  an  honest  and  candid  policy.  The  school  paper  will 
not  probably  be  called  upon  to  defend  libel  suits ;  still  the  same 
care  should  be  taken  to  avoid  liability — or,  what  is  just  as  im- 
portant, to  avoid  doing  some  one  harm,  or  stirring  up  bitter  feel- 
ings or  contentions  in  the  school — that  is  required  in  profession- 
al newspaperdom.  Under  no  circumstances  should  statements  be 
made,  or  charges  brought,  affecting  any  one  s  character. 

The  surest  way  to  make  the  paper  a  strong  influence  in  ttie 
school  is  to  be  fair  and  honest  in  all  that  concerns  the  conduct  of 
the  paper.  Strong,  thoughtful  editorials,  original  and  serious  ar- 
ticles, and  a  policy  that  encourages  the  free  expression  of  student 
opinion,  go  far  toward  strengthening  this  influence. 

To  bring  the  paper  to  its  highest  standard  the  ideas  of  the 
leading  daily  newspapers  should  be  imitated  to  a  considerable  ex- 
tent. For  the  dailies  are  the  result  of  long  and  careful  experi- 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  27 

ment  and  study,  and  the  methods  they  employ  are  what  experi- 
ence has  shown  to  be  psychologically  and  practically  the  best  that 
can  be  devised. 

The  practice  of  most  American  dailies  is  to  tell  the  whole  story 
in  the  opening  paragraph  of  the  ordinary  news-story.  The  ideas 
to  be  embodied  in  this  are  the  principal,  the  place,  the  time,  the 
action,  and  the  manner  or  circumstances  in  which  the  action  was 
performed.  The  story  of  course  lies  in  the  event  which  is  of  most 
interest,  or  in  other  words,  has  the  most  news-value.  The  con- 
secutive order  of  principal,  place,  and  time  is  to  be  observed  in 
practically  all  news-stories. 

Editorial  comments  should  never  be  made  in  news  articles.  A 
news  article  should  be  strictly  news,  and  not  the  writer's  opinion. 
Of  course,  a  signed  article  may  disregard  this  rule. 

In  applying  the  ideas  of  the  dailies  to  the  school  newspaper, 
the  make-up  will  be  found  of  especial  importance.  The  front 
page  should  contain  the  most  important  articles.  Each  should  be 
introduced  by  a  heavy  black  heading,  and  perhaps' one  or  more 
sub-headings.  Advertisements  and  joshes  should  not  be  tolerat- 
ed on  this  page.  Ordinarily,  single  column  heads  are  to  be  pre- 
ferred. 

Of  the  succeeding  pages,  one  that  occupies  a  prominent  posi- 
tion is  selected  for  the  editorial  page.  The  names  of  the  staff,  if 
given,  should  be  on  this  page,  and  certain  general  information, 
such  as  place  and  time  of  publication,  notice  of  postal  entry,  and 
subscription  prices.  The  editorials  are  of  course  on  this  page. 
Aside  from  these,  special  articles  by  members  of  the  student 
body  or  faculty  on  topics  of  general  school  interest  or  education- 
al matters  form  a  feature  that  has  proved  very  successful. 

The  remaining  pages  may  be  assigned  to  other  articles  or 
news,  and  any  special  departments. 

The  letters  and  spaces  in  a  line  of  the  heading  should  be  count- 
ed, and  all  headings  made  from  this  standard.  The  slide  head- 
ing, e.  g., 

FRENCH  MILITARY  MAN 

KILLED:  AIRSHIP  FALLS 

will  usually  give  the  best  effect,  owing  to  the  larger  white  space, 
which  prevents  a  crowded  appearance.  For  sub-headings,  ma- 
chine headings,  i.  e.,  caps  of  the  same  font  as  the  body  of  the  let- 
ter-press, suffice ;  so  when  no  display  is  required.  Deciding  upon 
what  will  make  an  effective  head-line  calls  into  play  no  small  de- 
gree of  judgment.  A  rule  sometimes  given  for  the  news  head- 
ing is,  always  include  a  verb;  the  head-line  is  to  attract  atten- 
tion, and  where  there  is  no  action  the  attention  is  not  apt  to  be 
attracted. 

A  box,  a  border  or  outline  around  a  portion  of  the  type,  is  an 


28  THE  SCHOOL  PAPER 

effective  means  of  distinguishing  an  article  that  should  be  given 
•especial  prominence.  When  a  box  is  desired,  note  should  be 
made  on  the  copy,  as  the  type  has  to  be  set  narrow  to  admit  the 
border.  Black-faced  type  is  often  employed  for  boxed  matter. 

It  need  hardly  be  said  that  illustrations,  photographic  half- 
tones and  line  cuts  according  to  the  nature  of  the  suject,  add 
greatly  to  the  effect  of  the  newspaper. 

V. 

OPERATION:    PLANS    FOR    MATERIAL. 

The  operation  includes  the  planning  and  assignment  of  the 
work  and  the  collection  and  arrangement  of  the  material  in  a 
..-canner  and  within  such* limits  of  time  as  are  suitable  to  the 
printer. 

The  stories  which  are  to  appear  should  be  planned  with  regard 
to  the  policy  and  style  of  the  publication,  and  according  to  the 
subject,  and  the  space  it  is  to  fill.  Of  course  much  depends  upon 
the  style  of  paper  to  be  issued,  in  selecting  a  story.  In  a  monthly 
magazine  the  news  stories,  fiction,  and  essays,  play  a  very  dif- 
ferent role  from  what  they  do  in  the  school  newspaper,  but  the 
selection  and  relative  importance  given  each  is  determined  in 
much  the  same.  way. 

The  following  scheme  includes  practically  all  the  material 
found  in  school  magazines,  and  is  given  as  an  aid  in  making  a 
selection  of  stories  for  the  souvenir  magazine.  It  may  be  found 
helpful  also  in  making  a  selection  of  material  for  the  monthly  is- 
sue, and  even  or  the  school  newspaper : — 

Introduction — dedication,  table  of  contents,  title. 

Literary — essays,  fiction,  school  organizations,  faculty  (names, 
etc.),  departments  of  school  study. 

Class — graduating  exercises,  including  president's  address, 
oration,  senior  week  program,  prophecy,  etc.,  poem,  history,  will, 
song,  officers,  teachers. 

Editorial. 

School  Notes — dramatics,  lectures,  entertainments,  elections, 
historical  observances,  special  student  or  school  distinctions,  gen- 
eral student  activities. 

Organizations — debating,  alumni,  societies — literary,  honorary, 
social,  etc. 

Athletics — school  records,  football,  etc. 

Joshes. 

Advertisements. 

The  cuts  are  suggested  to  a  large  extent  by  the  names  and  con- 
text of  the  articles.  The  kind  of  cut,  whether  copper  half  tone, 
zinc  half  tone,  line  cut,  etc.,  should  be  determined  at  the  outset. 
Close  estimates  should  also  be  made  as  to  what  office  the  cut  is  to 
fill  and  its  size,  shape,  and  price. 


THE:  SCHOOL  PAPER  29 

Although  the  use  of  illustrations  may  be  limited  by  the  lack  of 
money,  it  is  always  important  that  they  be  given  proper  atten- 
tion. Where  the  funds  are  limited  it  is  advisable  to  economize 
on  the  printing  or  some  other  part,  and  to  record  the  most  im- 
portant features  of  school  life,  and  the  most  interesting  activities. 


VI. 

PREPARATION    OF    COPY. 

Copy  or  manuscript  should  be  prepared  in  the  manner  which1 
convention  and  usage  have  adopted  as  the  most  convenient. 
Some  details  deserve  mention  here.  <*V 

All  copy  should  be  written  on  one  side  of  sheets  about  jz^r- 
inches.  Typewritten  copy  is  preferable,  but  legible  manuscript  in 
pencil  or  ink  will  do.  Wide  spaces  should  be  left  between  the 
lines.  The  pages  of  an  article  should  be  numbered  and  fastened 
together.  Ample  margin  should  be  left  at  the  top  of  the  sheet, 
so  that  it  may  be  read  without  unfastening.  The  number  of 
words  should  be  noted  by  the  writer  on  the  first  page  of  every 
article.  In  manuscript,  it  is  well  to  indicate  paragraphs  by  the 
sign  (€J),  and  to  use  a  small  cross  (x)  instead  of  the  period. 
Proper  names  should  be  accurately  spelled,  and  in  manuscript^ 
printed  or  written  very  legibly. 

The  student  editor  should  know  the  number  of  words  per  col- 
umn inch  of  the  sizes  of  type  regularly  used,  and  also  the  average 
number  of  words  to  the  page  of  his  regular  copy-paper. 

The  articles  that  are  to  appear  are  decided  upon  at  an  early 
date,  and  assigned  to  the  staff-writers.  This  may  be  the  task  of 
the  assistant  editor.  He  should  state  the  subject  of  every  story, 
the  length,  the  manner  of  handling,  and  the  time  within  which  it 
must  be  finished.  The  number  of  words  in  an  article  will  be  de- 
termined by  the  space  it  is  intended  to  fill,  and  assignments 
should  be  made  with  this  clearly  in  mind. 

When  the  story  is  completed,  it  is  turned  over  to  the  editor  or 
an  assistant,  who  blue  pencils  errors  and  makes  necessary  altera- 
tions. Among  the  various  things  he  has  to  do  at  this  time  is  tc 
see  that  the  story  is  given  a  proper  heading,  and  that  it  is  of  the 
desired  length.  He  should  mark  on  the  copy  the  size  and  kind  of 
type  to  be  used,  whether  ornamental  initial  letter  is  to  introduce 
the  story,  and  whether  it  is  to  be  run  in  single  or  double  column. 

The  editor  should  examine  the  article,  if  this  preliminary  work 
is  done  by  an  assistant,  to  make  sure  that  it  conforms  with  his 
plans  and  policy.  Next,  the  work  is  passed  upon  by  the  censor, 
if  there  is  one,  after  which  it  is  ready  for  the  printer. 


30  THE  SCHOOL  PAPER 

VIL 

ILLUSTRATIONS:     PHOTOGRAPHS  AND  THEIR   PREPARATION. 

No  part  of  the  production  of  a  large  magazine  presents  so 
many  problems,  or  oft'ers  so  many  opportunities  for  costly  mis- 
takes or  financial  embarrassment.  The  number,  size,  and  kind  of 
cuts  or  illustrations  should  be  carefully  worked  out  beforehand. 
Then  it  should  be  seen  to  that  the  material  is  in  proper  shape  for 
the  kind  of  engraving  for  which  it  is  designed.  And,  lastly,  di- 
rections as  to  the  kind  of  cut  and  the  size  it  is  to  be  should  be 
plainly  marked  on  the  copy. 

Photographs  cannot  be  secured  at  too  early  a  date.  Numbers 
of  school  papers  have  gone  on  the  rocks  for  no  other  reason  than 
that  the  pictures  were  received  late.  More  time  and  labor  is  re- 
quired in  preparing  the  pictures  for  the  engraver  than  is  at  first 
apparent. 

In  order  to  guard  against  the  inevitable  straggler  it  is  advis- 
able to  name  a  date  for  delivery  of  the  pictures,  much  in  advance 
of  the  dates  specified  in  the  contracts.  The  students  should  be 
especially  urged  to  have  their  pictures  taken  within  good  limits 
of  time. 

Duplicate  pictures  should  usually  be  obtained  of  persons  whose 
pictures  appear  more  than  once  in  any  issue  of  the  paper.  When 
the  pictures  can  be  had  from  the  engraver  in  sufficient  time  for 
remounting,  it  is  possible  to  use  the  picture  a  number  of  times, 
provided  of  course  that  the  size  and  the  shape  are  in  keeping  each 
time.  As  a  considerable  sum  may  be  saved  in  case  of  an  exten- 
sive use  of  engravings,  the  editor  should  consider  the  possibility 
of  this  remounting  in  fixing  the  time  at  which  certain  pictures 
should  be  turned  over  to  the  engraver. 

Photographs  are  always  converted  into  half  tone  engravings. 
This  being  understood,  the  only  problem  to  be  solved  is  whether 
the  half  tone  should  be  copper  or  zinc. 

The  copper  half  tone  as  the  name  implies  is  composed  of  cop- 
per. It  gives  a  very  distinct  picture,  but  its  use  is  often  curtailed 
by  the  fact  that  it  is  the  most  expensive.  The  zinc  half  tone  may 
generally  be  distinguished  from  the  copper  by  the  character  of 
the  impression.  This  cut  is  in  reality  not  composed  of  zinc,  but 
of  an  amalgam  of  zinc  and  copper. 

A  picture  which  is  especially  clear  and  distinct  can  be  repro- 
dued  in  a  zinc  half  tone  almost  if  not  quite  as  successfully  as  in 
copper.  A  hazy  picture,  however,  makes  a  poor  zinc  half  tone. 
Copper  should  be  used  in  this  case,  especially  if  the  picture  is  to 
occupy  a  prominent  place  in  the  paper. 

Color  plates  are  often  desirable  on  insert  pages,  covers,  and 
display  work.  These  are  expensive,  as  additional  plates  are  re- 
quired for  every  color.  Another  expense  arising  from  the  use 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  31 

of  these  cuts  is  the  additional  printing  charges.  The  original 
picture  should  not  be  colored ;  the  colors  and  the  parts  to  be  col- 
ored need  only  be  indicated  on  the  drawing  when  it  is  turned 
over  to  the  engraver. 

Photographs  should  usually  be  mounted  on  paper,  cardboard, 
or  other  material  that  will  serve  the  purpose  of  a  mat  before  be- 
ing sent  to  the  engraver.  Many  engravers  do  the  mounting,  but 
a  considerable  sum  of  money  can  be  saved  if  the  editor  mounts 
his  own  pictures.  The  purpose  in  mounting  is  to  facilitate  the 
handling  of  the  work  by  the  engraver,  to  secure  artistic  effects, 
and  to  have  an  arrangements  based  on  some  principle. 

The  actual  mounting  is  done  with  library  paste  or  glue.  Much 
work  and  time  is  required,  however,  in  trimming  and  arranging 
the  pictures,  and  illustrating  the  mats,  and  getting  a  proper  size 
of  pictures  and  mats  for  reduction  presents  a  difficult  problem. 

The  trimming  should  be  done  with  accuracy  and  care.  Each 
picture  should  be  cut  according  to  certain  artistic  principles  of 
balance.  If  an  individual  is  represented,  his  head  should  be 
wholly  in  the  upper  half  of  the  piTure.  In  general  in  a  bust  pic- 
ture the  mouth  should  be  just  afjove  the  center  line  and  equal 
space  or  back  ground  should  be  left  on  each  side  of  the  head. 
Object  pictures  should  be  treated  in  much  the  same  manner,  al- 
lowing neither  too  much  foreground  nor  too  much  background. 
The  general  idea  in  balancing  pictures  is  to  make  the  center  of 
inkrest  coincide  with  the  central  point  of  the  paper  on  which  they 
are  printed. 

Practically  all  pictures  are  trimmed,  whether  mounted  or  not. 
Some  are  brought  to  the  proper  size  for  reduction  by  trimming, 
and  others  are  trimmed  in  order  to  obtain  a  uniformity  in  size 
and  shape. 

An  oval  form  of  picture  gives  a  pleasing  effect,  but  when  the 
number  of  photographs  to  be  handled  is  large,  it  is  advisable,  for 
economy  in  time  and  work,  to  use  a  rectangular  form. 

A  convenient  device  in  trimming  the  pictures  is  to  use  a  pen- 
knife and  a  metal  or  celluloid  pattern.  Rectangular  pictures  may 
be  cut  quickly  and  easily  with  a  paper  cutter,  which  can  usually 
be  obtained  from  the  photographer  for  the  purpose. 

The  principle  of  proportional  space  should  be  observed  in 
trimming  the  pictures.  The  meaning  of  this  will  be  more  fully 
explained  in  the  paragraph  on  reduction,  below. 

Mats  are  usually  composed  of  heavy  paper  and  illustrated  with 
ink  or  wash  drawings.  They  are  always  rectangular  in  shape, 
but  vary  in  size  and  dimensions  according  to  the  desired  effect. 
Distinctive  finishing  of  paper  can  be  reproduced  to  a  considerable 
degree  in  the  engraving,  but  colors  cannot  be  obtained  without 
the  use  of  color  plates. 

The  shape  of  the  mat  and  the  tone  of  the  pictures  should  har- 


32  THE;  SCHOOL  PAPER 

monize.  The  mat  should  never  be  more  striking  than  the  por- 
trait in  any  engraving.  This  undesirable  effect  is  often  obtained 
when  too  much  of  the  mat  is  in  evidence,  or  when  there  is  not 
enough  contrast  between  the  picture  and  the  mat. 

The  arrangement  of  pictures  should  be  made  according  to  their 
importance,  size  and  number.  For  example,  in  case  of  the  edi- 
torial staff,  the  editor-in-chief  should  occupy  the  most  important 
position,  which  is  in  the  centre  of  the  mat.  The  subordinates 
should  be  grouped  about  him  with  reference  to  their  office  on  the 
staff.  A  large  staff  may  occupy  two  or  more  pages ;  then  some 
other  important  member  of  the  staff  should  occupy  the  position 
on  the  succeeding  pages  that  the  editor  did  on  the  first.  This  of 
course  refers  to  the  arrangement  of  bust  pictures  on  the  mats; 
but  the  same  principle  applies  to  the  arranging  of  the  people 
when  a  group  picture  is  to  be  taken. 

The  individual  pictures  are  arranged  on  the  mats  in  all  sorts  of 
ways.  But  there  are  three  general  methods  for  the  arrangement 
of  pictures  of  a  class  which  should  be  noticed.  These  are  whole 
page  cuts,  partial  page  cuts,  and  individual  cuts.  The  first  two 
may  or  may  not  bear  art  work  on  the  mats,  and  the  pictures  are 
often  arranged  artistically  in  columns  or  rows,  on  pages  part  of 
which  is  made  up  of  composition. 

Full  page  cuts  are  gaining  in  favor  in  many  recent  issues.  One 
of  the  advantages  of  this  plan  consists  in  having  so  many  pic- 
tures together. 

A  large  number  of  schools  employ  the  scheme  of  having  cuts 
the  standard  height  of  the  page  and  half  its  width.  The  object 
of  this  is  to  have  each  picture  followed  by  the  composition  refer- 
ring to  it.  A  plan  somewhat  similar  to  this,  but  which  allows 
more  composition  and  a  fewer  number  of  cuts,  is  to  have  the  cut 
in  the  upper  half  of  the  page.  Cuts  of  this  kind  embody  about 
six  pictures  when  running  down  the  side  of  the  page,  and  three 
when  in  the  upper  half  of  the  page. 

On  the  standard  size  of  page,  from  nine  to  sixteen  pictures 
may  be  placed  on  a  page,  without  showing  too  much  background, 
crowding  the  pictures,  or  making  them  too  small.  A  medium  of 
about  twelve  pictures  will  be  sure  to  give  a  pleasing  effect. 

VIII. 
ILLUSTRATIONS — CONTINUED. 

Reduction  of  pictures  depends  much  upon  the  size  of  the  pic- 
tures as  well  as  that  of  the  mat.  It  is  not  necessary  to  reduce 
pictures  in  making  engravings,  but  it  is  usually  advisable,  and 
especially  convenient.  That  there  would  be  considerable  difficul- 
ty in  handling  and  obtaining  pictures  the  exact  size  that  they  ap- 
pear in  print  is  evident. 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  33 

If  several  pictures  on  a  mat  are  of  uniform  size,  it  naturally 
follows  that  the  figures  in  the  engraving  will  be  uniform  also. 
This  fact  must  be  understood.  One  can  reduce  two  pictures  of 
different  sizes  to  the  same  size  in  making  separate  engravings, 
and  with  a  different  reduction.  But  he  cannot  expect  two  pic- 
tures of  different  size  on  the  same  mat  to  appear  the  same  size  in 
the  cut.  There  would  be  the  same  proportional  difference  in  the 
figures  of  the  cut  as  there  was  in  the  original  pictures. 

The  process  of  engraving  is  analogous  to  copying  a  photo- 
graph. The  engraving  which  corresponds  to  the  second  photo- 
graph is  proportional  in  every  respect  to  the  original  picture. 
For  example,  a  picture  2x4  inches  will  when  reduced  to  a  height 
of  one  inch  have  a  width  of  two  inches ;  the  dimensions  will  not 
be  1x4  inches,  as  is  sometimes  thoughtlessly  assumed. 

Any  reduction  can  be  made,  but  good  results  will  usually  be 
obtained  in  half  tones  by  using  a  mat  a  size  and  a  half  larger 
than  the  desired  cut.  It  often  happens,  however,  that  pictures 
cannot  be  adapted  to  this  scale  of  reduction.  Below  is  a  table  of 
the  principle  sizes  of  cuts  according  to  the  two-thirds  reduction : 

Original   or  mat  Reproduction   or  cut. 

6x41-2    reduced    two-thirds    4x3 

6x9    reduced    two-thirds     4x6 

6  1-4x10  1-2    reduced    two-thirds    4  1-2x7 

The  proportional  diagonal  is  a  graphical  means  of  ascertain- 
ing the  proportional  sizes  of  mats.  Draw  a  figure  using  the  di- 
mensions of  the  prospective  cut.  Draw  and  indefinitely  extend 
the  diagonal  of  this  figure.  Then  any  rectangle  that  can  be  made 
to  have  any  portion  of  this  line  as  its  diagonal  will  reduce  to  the 
size  of  the  first  figure  drawn.  If  the  diagonal  of  any  figure  does 
not  coincide  with  that  of  the  graf,  then  trim  the  picture  until  it 
does.  The  idea  is  further  explained  by  the  following  equation ; 
the  area  of  the  original  or  mat  is  to  the  area  of  the  cut  as  the  \ 
diagonal  of  the  mat  is  to  the  diagonal  of  the  cut,  or  A:a  equals 
D:d. 

Much  time  and  labor  will  be  saved  if  standard  sizes  are  adopt- 
ed for  the  various  styles  of  engravings,  pictures,  and  mats. 

Names  should  be  placed  on  the  mats  beneath  each  picture. 
This  should  be  done  in  India  ink.  The  names  may  be  placed  un- 
der the  whole  engraving,  in  type,  but  for  best  results  printing  on 
the  mats  is  advised.  On  a  dark  mat  this  may  be  done  with  China 
white.  Captions  should  accompany  every  cut  when  turned  in  to 
the  printer. 

IX. 
ILLUSTRATIONS,  CONTINUED:    DRAWINGS. 

Drawings  may  be  made  in  ink,  pencil,  charcoal,  crayon,  wash 
or  oil  paints.  Drawings  which  have  more  than  two  tones  of  color 


34  THE:   SCHOOL  PAPER 

are  converted  into  half  tone  engravings.  Charcoal  and  pencil 
drawings  are  usually  chosen  for  this  purpose,  but  any  sort  of 
drawing  may  be  made  into  a  halftone.  Ink  line  drawings,  or 
more  generally  drawings  which  have  only  two  tones,  are  made 
into  line  cuts.  The  line  cut  is  the  cheapest  form  of  engraving.  It 
is  especially  valuable  in  the  cartoon,  tail-piece,  heading  cuts,  and 
general  illustrations. 

An  impression  of  a  line  cut  resembles  the  original  drawing  in 
every  respect.  It  may  be  distinguished  by  the  fact  that  it  always 
appears  as  masses  of  black  and  white  in  contrast. 

The  drawing  for  a  line  cut  should  be  in  India  ink,  on  white  or 
gray  paper.  Blue  does  not  take  effect  in  the  engraving  process, 
and  yellow  or  red  give  uncertain  results.  The  drawing  should 
be  sufficiently  large  to  allow  a  large  reduction,  four  times  the 
size  of  the  desired  engraving,  or  even  larger.  Slight  errors,  hard 
to  avoid  in  amateur  work,  disappear  in  a  large  reduction. 

A  firm  outline  is  advisable  in  line  drawings ;  fine  cob-web  lines 
should  be  avoided.  Many  good  ideas  may  be  gained  by  observ- 
ing any  well  illustrated  magazine.  Drawings  should  never  be 
copied,  but  the  ideas  may  be  imitated  to  a  considerable  extent. 
The  lettering,  the  lines,  the  shadows,  the  enclosing  box,  and  the 
technique,  are  principles  well  worth  the  young  artist's  notice. 

Most  of  the  common  ink  drawing  should  be  done  on  bristol 
board.  Several  other  things  are  worthy  of  mention.  Egg  shell 
paper  gives  a  dotted  effect  in  a  line  cut  when  rubbed  with  a 
Blaisdail  pencil.  The  outline  in  this  kind  of  picture  may  be  made 
with  ink.  Ross  board  gives  a  parallel  line  effect.  The  drawing 
is  made  and  the  white  portion  is  scratched  off  with  a  safety  razor 
blade. 

Soft  lines  may  be  obtained  in  a  half  tone  engraving  by  em- 
ploying charcoal  or  pencil.  Wash  drawings  are  often  used  to 
great  advantage.  They  give  an  effect  similar  to  that  of  a  photo- 
graph. 

Embossings,  frequently  employed  on  covers  and  inserts,  are 
illustrations  or  lettering  in  relief.  They  are  reproduced  from 
black  and  white  wash  drawings. 

It  should  always  be  indicated  on  the  drawing  what  part  is  to 
be  in  relief;  as  either  the  black  or  the  white  can  be  raised.  In 
making  a  drawing  for  an  embossing  the  artist  should  make 
enough  contrast  to  distinguish  the  various  parts.  For  instance, 
in  a  drawing  of  a  building  it  is  well  to  fill  in  the  mass  of  the 
structure  in  black,  and  leave  white  the  cornice,  the  edge  of  the 
roof,  the  corners,  and  the  doors  and  windows. 

The  embossing  may  be  merely  a  stamp,  like  the  impression  of 
a  seal,  or  it  may  be  printed.  A  printed  embossing  requires  an 
additional  plate.  This  can  usually  be  made  from  the  drawing. 
Color  plates  are  required  if  the  printing  is  not  monochrome,  just 
as  for  other  color  cuts. 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  35 

X. 

PROOFS. 

Proofs,  that  is  printed  impressions  of  the  type  or  cuts,  are  giv- 
en by  both  the  printer  and  the  engraver.  The  printer  ordinarily 
gives  two  proofs,  one  for  corrections,  the  other  for  the  dummy. 

The  printer's  proofs  are  long,  narrow  strips  of  paper  repre- 
senting what  is  known  as  a  galley  of  type.  The  dummy-proof  is 
usually  on  colored  paper. 

Proof-reading  is  the  name  applied  to  the  process  of  correcting 
typographical  errors.  The  mistakes  are  indicated  in  the  margin, 
and  the  printer  makes  the  corrections  to  correspond.  A  separa- 
tion of  letters,  misspelling  of  a  word,  wrong  paragraphing,  or 
other  simple  error  can  be  indicated  by  a  sign  in  the  margin.  The 
correct  spelling  of  a  proper  name,  or  any  correction  which  the 
operator  may  misinterpret,  should  be  written  clearly  in  the  mar- 
gin. Every  one  ought  to  learn  and  use  the  technical  proofread- 
er's signs,  which  can  be  found  in  any  dictionary. 

Words  should  not  be  added  or  omitted  to  suit  the  whim  of  the 
reader,  since  the  omission  or  addition  of  a  word  often  necessi- 
tates the  resetting  of  a  whole  paragraph.  Frequent  occurrence 
of  such  corrections  is  apt  to  cause  trouble  with  the  printer,  who 
is  put  to  considerable  expense  or  loss  of  time  in  resetting  the 
type.  A  careful  editor  will  have  his  copy  in  such  shape  that  the 
proof-reader  will  need  only  correct  typographical  errors,  not 
original  misspellings  or  mistakes  in  diction.  At  the  same  time,  it 
is  the  proof-reader's  duty  to  see  that  no  error  passes  his  pencil. 

A  page-proof  should  be  required  after  the  work  is  further  ad- 
vanced. This  is  for  the  purpose  of  correcting  any  mistakes  in 
arrangement  of  matter  on  the  pages,  or  changing  the  order  of 
matter  in  the  book ;  also  to  make  certain  that  the  printer  has  cor- 
rected all  the  typographical  errors  noted  on  the  first  proof.  It  is 
not  supposed  that  any  errors  not  so  marked  will  be  corrected  at 
this  time ;  if  typographical  alterations  are  made  now,  they  are 
charged  as  extras. 

A  dnminv  is  a  blank  book  resembling  the  prospective  maga- 
zine in  size  and  shape,  in  which  the  editor,  by  pasting  in  portions 
of  the  proof,  indicates  the  arrangement  of  the  matter  to  be  in- 
cluded. It  is  essential  that  every  story  and  cut  should  be  in  its 
proper  place,  as  the  printer  follows  this  dummy  in  every  detail  in 
making  up  the  final  volume. 

The  editor  should  begin  at  the  beginning,  designate  even  the 
fly-leaves  and  the  title-page,  and  continue  through  the  book  until 
every  story,  cut,  caption,  and  advertisement  is  in  exactly  the  place 
it  is  intended  to  occupy  in  the  final  impression.  Pages  are  num- 
bered at  this  time.  Due  care  must  be  exercised,  for  one  mistake 
shifts  the  order  of  the  entire  book. 


36  THE  SCHOOL  PAPER 

The  proofs  should  be  cut  into  portions  somewhat  shorter  than 
the  space  they  are  to  occupy  in  the  magazine,  as  the  type  is 
spread  out  and  made  to  occupy  more  space  by  the  use  of  leads. 

The  inserts  are  included  at  this  time  and  the  page  numbers 
added  to  the  table  of  contents. 

One  kind  of  type  should  be  selected  and  used  throughout  the 
book.  A  page  heading  adds  to  the  appearance  ot  a  page,  and  if 
.a  cut  has  not  already  been  provided  some  plain,  but  artistic,  line 
heading  can  be  selected  now.  The  printer  can  offer  some  valu- 
able suggestions  in  this  matter. 

The  departments  of  the  book  may  be  separated  to  advantage  by 
.the  use  of  pages  bearing  the  department  title  only.  The  effect 
of  this  device  is  generally  pleasing  and  worth  the  space. 

If  the  composition  does  not  fill  the  page  and  a  glaring  blank 
space  remains,  it  is  well  to  use  the  tail-piece. 

Cases  may  occur  where  the  articles  are  too  long  for  their  given 
space;  then  it  is  a  good  plan  to  cut  out  a  few  lines  or  a  para- 
graph, or  in  rare  cases  to  use  smaller  type. 

XL 

THE    PRINTING   OF   THE    PAPER. 

Type  is  set  either  by  a  linotype  machine  or  by  hand.  The  lino- 
type machine  has  a  keyboard  somewhat  similar  to  the  keyboard 
on  a  typewriter.  An  operator  taps  the  keys,  then  moulds  or 
forms  drop  from  a  case,  and  are  pushed  in  front  of  a  pot  of  mol- 
ten metal.  When  a  column  line  of  forms  is  in  front  of  the  metal 
pot  the  operator  pulls  a  lever,  and  the  moulten  lead  is  forced  into 
the  forms.  As  each  form  bears  an  engraved  impression  of  a  let- 
ter the  product  of  this  operation  is  a  line  of  type.  The  metal 
cools  very  rapidly  and  is  ready  for  printing  almost  immediately 
on  being  formed.  After  the  line  is  moulded  the  forms  are  me- 
chanically distributed  to  their  respective  places  in  the  case. 

The  compositor  of  course  lifts  each  letter  separately  in  setting 
type  by  hand.  Hand  composition  is  more  laborious,  and  more 
expensive  to  the  printer,  and  yet  as  a  rule  the  present  method  of 
linotype  setting  gives  no  advantage  in  price  to  the  publisher. 

After  being  set,  type  is  placed  on  a  tray  called  a  galley,  a  term 
which  is  extended  to  the  type  in  the  galley.  At  the  top  of  each 
galley  the  operator  or  compositor  places  his  name  together  with 
the  number  of  the  galley. 

Proofs  are  made  from  the  galleys,  by  the  use  of  a  roll  press. 

After  the  corrections  marked  on  the  proofs  have  been  made  in 
the  composition,  it  is  disposed  into  pages  or  columns. 

For  the  most  part,  the  names  or  the  styles  of  the  type  are  fan- 
ciful, yet  Roman,  Old  English,  Gothic,  Egyptian,  Clarendon,  etc., 
are  in  general  use,  and  it  is  convenient  to  be  able  to  recognize 
.them. 


THE  SCHOOL  PAPER  37 

Formerly  each  size  of  type  had  a  name  also;  as,  Pica,  Small 
Pica,  Long  Primer,  etc.,  but  with  the  adoption  of  a  common 
standard  by  the  type  founders  of  the  United  States  these  names 
have  become  obsolete,  and  type  is  known  as  6  point,  8  point,  10 
point,  etc.  Eight  and  ten  point  type  correspond  to  Brevier  and 
Long  Primer,  and  are  the  sizes  the  student  printer  will  have  oc- 
casion to  know  best. 

Each  style  and  size  of  type  has  a  special  use.  Of  course  a  great 
deal  more  matter  can  be  condensed  into  small  than  large  type,  but 
small  type  is  often  a  strain  on  the  eye  and  a  detriment  to  the  typo- 
graphical beauty  of  the  page. 

Display  in  newspapers,  job  work,  and  often  in  magazines  is 
effected  by  the  use  of  black  face  type.  Features  that  should  have 
special  emphasis  appear  to  advantage  in  black  face  type.  Capi- 
tals are  often  used  to  fill  the  same  office  as  the  black  face  type, 
but  with  less  satisfactory  results. 

Italics  are  used  to  distinguish  words  and  phrases  in  the  text. 
Words  of  foreign  languages  are  often  placed  in  italics. 

Leads,  thin  pieces  of  metal  less  than  the  type  height  and  the 
length  of  a  column  line,  are  placed  between  the  lines.  The  pur- 
pose of  this  is  to  prevent  a  crowded  effect  on  the  page,  and  to 
have  the  composition  fill  the  allotted  space. 

When  the  composition  in  the  galleys  has  been  separated  into 
pages,  sufficiently  leaded,  the  cuts,  initial  letters,  the  page  num- 
bers, and  the  headings  added,  the  whole  is  adjusted  in  a  form. 

The  form  is  the  name  applied  to  the  metal  after  it  has  been 
locked  up  or  tightly  fastened  in  an  iron  frame  known 
as  a  chase.  Several  pages  may  be  included  in  one  form,  the  num- 
ber varying  with  the  style  of  press  used  and  the  size  of  the  pages. 
If  a  cylinder  press  is  used,  as  it  is  by  many  book  publishing 
houses,  the  number  of  pages  in  one  form  will  include  sixteen  or 
twenty  of  the  average  sized  pages.  Only  one  or  two  pages  are 
printed  at  one  time  on  the  platen  press. 

The  form  is  placed  in  the  press  and  securely  locked  in  its 
place.  A  system  of  rollers  inks  the  surface  and  the  paper  is 
brought  in  contact  with  it.  On  the  cylinder  press  the  paper  is 
fed  on  a  revolving  cylinder.  The  form  is  below  and  moves  with 
a  reciprocating  motion.  When  the  paper  turns  up  the  impres- 
sion has  been  made. 

A  make  ready  is  used  to  bring  out  the  less  distinct  parts  in 
print.  This  is  usually  made  by  pasting  thin  pieces  of  paper  on 
the  mat  that  covers  the  cylinder.  This  presses  the  paper  against 
the  type  in  certain  places  with  a  greater  force.  Great  skill  is  re- 
quired in  preparing  a  make-ready,  as  even  the  smallest  portions 
of  a  cut  often  need  building  up. 

When  the  sheets  are  dry,  they  are  arranged  and  folded  in  con- 
secutive order,  preparative  to  binding.  The  insert  pages  and  the 


38  THE  SCHOOL  PAPER 

fly  leaves  are  placed  in  their  respective  positions  and  each  book  is 
heavily  pressed,  to  make  it  compact  for  the  stitching  that  fol- 
lows. "  The  edges  of  the  book  are  next  trimmed  and  last  the  cover 
is  glued  on.  The  book  is  now  finished;  and  after  it  has  dried  it 
is  ready  for  distribution. 

XII. 

THE    PROCESSES   OF    ENGRAVING. 

At  one  time,  wood  engravings  were  the  only  means  of  illustrat- 
ing. Only  in  recent  years  has  the  metal  engraving  appeared,  and 
at  present  engravings  are  almost  exclusively  made  of  metal.  The 
work  of  the  student  publisher  will  wholly  deal  with  metal  plates 
nailed  on  blocks  of  wood  to  give  them  type  height.  Engravings 
of  this  kind  are  called  half  tones  or  line  cuts  according  to  their 
style.  ' 

The  tone  cut  is  a  metal  plate  composed  of  either  copper  or  a 
zinc  amalgam,  bearing  a  reproduction  of  picture  represented,  by 
a  peculiar  arrangement  of  dots.  The  process  of  reproducing  a 
picture  on  this  plate  is  similar  to  photographing  a  picture.  A 
finely  grained  glass  screen  is  placed  over  the  original  picture,  for 
the  purpose  of  breaking  up  the  light  rays,  which  pass  from  it  to 
the  negative  which  is  made.  The  negative  is  brought  to  act  on 
the  metal  plate  which  previously  has  been  sensitised  with  acid. 
Wherever  the  light  rays  strike,  the  acid  is  set  in  action  and  con- 
sequently eats  the  metal. 

When  the  acid  has  acted  sufficiently,  the  plate  is  rinsed  and 
scoured  to  free  it  from  any  further  effects  of  the  acid-  if 
further  biting  of  the  metal  is  desired  it  is  done  with  a  machine, 
or  graver. 

The  cut  is  completed  by  trimming  and  nailing  it  to  a  block.  If 
for  any  reason,  it  is  desired  that  the  impression  on  the  cut  be 
made  visible,  this  can  be  done  by  rubbing  soft  chalk  over  the  sur- 
face. 

The  dots  which  form  the  impression  on  the  halftone  engrav- 
ing are  made  by  the  intersection  of  finely  graded  lines,  and  are 
arranged  in  such  a  manner  as  to  produce  a  picture  in  high  lights, 
half  tones,  and  full  tones.  There  are  never  any  lines  in  a  half  tone. 
When  cuts  of  this  kind  are  in  the  press,  only  the  dots  come  in 
contact  with  the  ink,  and  the  corresponding  printed  impression 
is  in  reality  made  up  of  properly  arranged  dots.  Many  times 
these  dots  are  so  minute  and  so  close  together  that  a  magnify- 
ing glass  is  necessary  to  distinguish  them. 

Tone  cuts  are  made  from  photographs,  oil  and  water  color 
paintings,  and  crayon,  wash,  pencil  and  charcoal  drawings.  From 
this  it  can  be  seen  that  practically  every  kind  of  picture  can  be 
made  into  a  tone  cut. 

Line  cuts  are  made  in  much  the  same  way  as  are  the  half  tone 


SCHOOL 'PAPER  39 

engravings.  No  screen  is  employed  in  this  process  and  the  metal 
is  usually  zinc. 

The  zinc  line  cut  is  made  up  of  a  solid  protrusion  of  metal. 
The  printed  impression  of  a  line  cut  is  in  black  and  white  mass- 
es and,  with  the  exception  of  size,  resembles  the  original  picture 
in  every  respect. 

Engravings  of  this  kind  are  made  from  distinct  and  clean  cut 
drawings  in  black  and  white — either  pen  etchings,  or  charcoal, 
pencil,  and  crayon  drawings. 

Engravings  can  be  printed  in  colors  from  either  line  or  half- 
tone plates.  Every  additional  color  necessitates  an  extra  plate. 
An  extensive  use  of  color  cuts  is  prohibited  more  by  the  addi- 
tional expense  in  printing  than  by  the  cost  of  the  extra  plate. 

The  background  or  portions  of  the  background  are  often  det- 
rimental to  the  artistic  effect  of  a  half  tone  engraving.  At  other 
times  the  rectangular  form  of  the  cut  may  not  be  desired.  These 
defects  may  be  remedied  by  having  the  engraver  chisel  out  the 
undesired  portion  of  the  cut.  When  this  is  done  on  a  limited 
scale  the  cost  will  not  be  heavy,  since  the  work  is  usually  charged 
for  by  the  hour. 

On  insert  cuts,  where  it  is  often  desirable  to  have  a  cut  of  ir- 
regular outline,  chiselling  may  be  done  to  good  advantage.  But 
letters  or  especially  irregular  edges  should  not  be  chiselled  as 
much  time  is  required  in  the  work  and  the  expense  is  large. 
Where  letters  are  desired  as  part  of  a  tone  drawing  a  combina- 
tion of  half  tone  and  line  cut  is  advised.  The  picture  may  appear 
in  half  tone,  and  the  lettering  in  line  and  tacked  on  the  same 
block. 

\Yhen  several  individual  pictures  appear  on  one  half  tone,  any 
of  the  number  may  be  chiselled  out  and  reblocked.  This  plan 
enables  the  school  newspaper  to  make  an  extensive  use  of  old  en- 
gravings. 

In  a  magazine  where  elegance  and  uniformity  are  desired,  the 
common  newspaper  cut  should  not  be  used.  A  coarse  screen  is 
used  in  making  cuts  of  this  kind,  and  the  impression  has  a  speck- 
led appearance. 

XIII. 

DISTRIBUTION. 

When  the  papers  have  been  received  from  the  printer,  they 
should  be  carefully  counted,  to  ascertain  whether  or  not  the  num- 
ber provided  for  in  the  contract  have  been  delivered. 

Distribution  of  a  weekly  or  monthly  issue  of  a  paper  to  regu- 
lar subscribers  presents  little  difficulty  if  managed  systematically. 
The  method  employed  will  depend  on  the  organization  of  the 
students,  the  plan  of  the  building,  and  to  some  extent  on  the  dis- 


40  TH$  SCHOOL  PAPER 

cipline  of  the  school.  Points  to  be  regarded,  if  circumstances 
permit,  are — distribution  from  some  central  point,  at  a  definite 
and  regular  time,  so  far  as  may  be  simultaneously  throughout 
the  building,  and  the  number  assigned  to  each  class  room  or  car- 
rier definitely  counted  out. 

The  annual  needs  more  machinery,  as  it  is  frequently  sold  by 
advance  subscription,  to  be  delivered  on  presentation  of  receipt, 
and  apt  to  be  put  on  sale  at  the  same  time  as  it  is  distributed. 
The  first  precaution  is  to  see  that  the  count  of  the  paper  agrees 
with  the  number  contracted  for.  This  done,  the  number  already 
sold  should  be  set  aside  and  delivered  to  receipt-holders  on  de- 
mand. One  assistant  at  least  should  be  detailed  to  deliver  these, 
while  another  or  others  attend  to  cash  sales.  In  a  large  school 
the  editor  or  business  manager  should  oversee  the  work  and  as- 
sign the  details  to  the  assistants.  It  will  be  found  helpful  to  have 
lists  of  the  names  of  the  subscribers  and  check  as  the  delivery  is 
made.  One  assistant  may  with  profit  be  detailed  as  inspector,  to 
receive  and  scrutinize  receipts  which  he  then  passes  to  a  check- 
ing clerk,  or  else  retain  the  rec'eipt  and  call  out  the  name  or  num- 
ber to  the  distributing  clerk. 

Lost  receipts  seem  inevitable.  When  the  circulation  of  the  pa- 
per is  large,  it  is  best  to  refuse  to  adjust  claims  of  lost  receipts 
until  the  sales  are  complete,  so  that  the  receipts  can  be  checked 
over  to  see  that  the  one  in  question  has  not  been  presented.  Then, 
if  the  stub  in  the  receipt  book  shows  the  sale,  the  magazine  may 
be  delivered. 


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JUI 


ALK-;     i     -34® 
AUG 


LD  21-100) 


